Royal Rumble
Encyclopedia
The Royal Rumble is a professional wrestling
pay-per-view
event, produced every January by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion
based in Connecticut
. The event was created in 1988, with its inaugural event taking place on January 24, 1988 at the Copps Coliseum
in Hamilton, Ontario
. The event however was not a pay-per-view but was originally shown as a television special on USA Network
. The following year's event
was the first Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. The first Royal Rumble match was won by Jim Duggan
. The event's main feature is a Battle Royal
-type match, entitled the Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view is a part of WWE's "Big Four, along with WrestleMania
, SummerSlam
, and Survivor Series
. The Royal Rumble has been classified as being one of WWE's most popular pay-per-view events.
Professional wrestling is a non-competitive professional sport
, where matches are prearranged by the promotion's writing staff, and is also considered an athletic performing art
, containing strong elements of catch wrestling
, mock combat
, and theatre
. Each PPV event features several professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines
. Wrestlers are portrayed as either villains
or heroes
in the scripted events that build tension and culminate into a wrestling match or series of matches.
The Royal Rumble is usually scheduled the weekend before the NFL
's Super Bowl
is played (exception was in 2002, when that year's Rumble took place during the NFL's Divisional Playoffs that year, two weeks before Super Bowl XXXVI
). Usually, WWE has had the luxury of hosting this popular PPV while the NFL has a bye week before the Super Bowl game, which can translate into more revenue for WWE while avoiding competition from football for viewership. Exceptions to this rule were in 1991, 1994, 2000 and 2003, where the Royal Rumble took place at the same day as the NFL's Conference Championship games, and in 2002, reason noted above.
The match is based on the traditional battle royal
match, in which a set number of participants aim at eliminating their competitors by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. The winner of the event is the last participant remaining after all others have been eliminated. A Royal Rumble match normally consists of 30 entrants. However, the inaugural match
in 1988 featured 20 entrants, while the 2011 Royal Rumble
featured 40 entrants, the most in the history of the event.
The Royal Rumble differs from a battle royal as the contestants do not enter the ring at the same time but instead are assigned entry numbers, usually via lottery, although they can win guaranteed desirable spots via a number of other means, the most common being winning a match. This usually takes place before the Rumble begins. The match begins with the two participants who have drawn entry numbers one and two, with the remaining competitors entering the ring at regular timed intervals, either ninety seconds or two minutes, according to their entry number. These peculiarities are credited to Pat Patterson.
The match has no stipulations or rules other than that elimination must occur by a participant being placed over the top rope and both feet touching the floor. If they have any other part of the body touching they are also eliminated from the match. A wrestler who exits the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the contest. A prime example is from the 1999 Rumble match
, which saw both Vince McMahon
and Steve Austin
leaving the ring, only to return later in the match. Elimination is also valid if brought about by an external force (such as a non-participant or a previously eliminated participant). For instance, in 2006
, Shawn Michaels
was eliminated from the match by Shane McMahon
, who was never admitted in the match and simply was interfering to eliminate Michaels. This also happened in the 1998 match when Triple H and Chyna worked together to eliminate Owen Hart. In the 1994 match
, the last two participants Bret Hart
and Lex Luger
were declared co-winners when it was decided that both of their feet touched the floor at exactly the same time. A similar situation occurred in the 2005 match
, however the match was restarted after Batista and John Cena
eliminated each other at the same time. Batista eliminated Cena afterwards to win the match. Though various referees are charged with observing the match, some eliminations have remained unnoticed with the eliminated participant sneaking back into the ring to continue. For example, Stone Cold Steve Austin was eliminated this way during the 1997 event
but re-entered and eventually won the match.
The reward for the 1992 Royal Rumble
was the WWF Championship
. The tradition of granting a WWE Championship
match at WrestleMania
started in 1993. Despite being introduced in late 2002, it was not until 2004 that a winner had the option to choose a match for the World Heavyweight Championship
instead of the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. With the revival of the ECW World Championship
in mid-2006, winners of the match were given a third option; this option was valid from 2007 until 2010. From 2001 to 2007, the Royal Rumble match winner had gone on to win a World Championship title at WrestleMania. After winning the 2008 match
, John Cena
became the first winner to use his championship opportunity at an event (No Way Out 2008
) other than WrestleMania. He also became the first man since 2000 to win the Royal Rumble match but fail to win the title in his championship opportunity as a result.
The Royal Rumble winner may also put his championship opportunity on the line in a match, if he chooses. This was first done in 1996, when Owen Hart
challenged Shawn Michaels
for his number one contender spot at In Your House 6
, after Hart had taken credit for potentially ending Michaels' career with a devastating enzuigiri on a November 1995 edition of Monday Night RAW
. Ultimately, Michaels prevailed and went on to challenge Bret Hart
at WrestleMania XII
. The second time this occurred was in 1999, when Stone Cold Steve Austin
offered to forfeit his title opportunity to the Big Boss Man
, who won third place in the Royal Rumble (Austin was actually the runner-up, but the winner, Vince McMahon
, had voluntarily given up his title opportunity) if Vince McMahon could beat him in a cage match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House
, which Austin would go on to win. On another occasion, in 2006, Randy Orton
goaded Rey Mysterio into putting his main event spot at WrestleMania 22
on the line at No Way Out
, which Orton would go on to win. Mysterio was eventually reinserted into the main event at WrestleMania 22 and won the title.
consisting of the Royal Rumble match, championship matches, and various other matches. The first Royal Rumble took place on January 24, 1988 and was broadcast live on the USA Network
. The following year, the event was rebranded as a pay-per-view. It is part of WWE's "classic four" pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania
, Survivor Series
, and SummerSlam
. The 2008 Royal Rumble
was the first WWE pay-per-view to be available in high-definition
.
The Royal Rumble match is usually located at the top of the card, though there have been exceptions such as the 1997
, 1998
and 2006
events.
The first Rumble match featured only twenty men, and it was called the Rumble Royale. It lasted approximately thirty-three minutes of the two-hour broadcast. The modern Rumble matches are much longer, with the longest match, at the 2002 event
, lasting over one hour and nine minutes of an approximately three-hour pay-per-view.
With the brand extension
introduced in mid-2002, the 30 entrants from 2003 to 2006 consisted of 15 wrestlers from both the Raw
and SmackDown brands. At first, the winner of the match received a shot at their brand's champion. Starting in 2004, the Rumble winner had the option of challenging any brand's champion. For instance, Chris Benoit
switched brands in 2004 and won the World Heavyweight Championship. From 2007 to 2010, participants from the ECW brand competed along with the Raw and SmackDown brands, while the ECW World Championship
became available for the winner to challenge for regardless of their designated brand. During ECW's participation, the entries for each brand were not evenly divided.
Most Final Six Appearances
Most Times Becoming Runner-up
Longest Time Spent in a Single Royal Rumble
Top ten longest time in the single match. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
Shortest Time Spent in a Single Royal Rumble
Only wrestlers that spent less than 15 seconds in a single rumble are shown.
Lowest Time to Spend in a Rumble and Win
Most Eliminations in a Single Royal Rumble
Top wrestlers with most eliminations in a single match. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
Most Consecutive Eliminations in a Single Rumble
Only wrestlers with at least 5 consecutive eliminations are shown.
Diva Entrants
Total Eliminations in Cumulative Royal Rumbles
The ten wrestlers with the most eliminations. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
Totals include Kane's previous personas as Isaac Yankem and the new Diesel.
Most Rumble Appearances
Only wrestlers with at least 6 appearances are shown. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
Totals include Kane's previous personas as Isaac Yankem and the new Diesel.
Totals include Rikishi's previous personas as Fatu and the Sultan.
Totals include Triple H's previous presonas as Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Totals include Big Daddy V's previous persona as Mabel and Viscera.
Totals include The Godfather's previous personas as Papa Shango and Kama Mustafa.
Totals include Hardcore Holly's previous persona as Bob "Spark Plugg" Holly.
Totals include Booker T's previous persona as King Booker.
Totals include Steve Austin's previous persona as The Ringmaster
Totals include John Morrison's previous persona as Johnny Nitro
Most Wrestlers Required to Eliminate Someone
Only wrestlers that needed 4 or more people to eliminate them are shown.
The Most Winning Entrant Wrestlers Won On:
27
Wrestlers Who Never Entered
Wrestlers Who Had Their Number Stolen
Wrestlers Who Were Eliminated by Outside People
box set entitled Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology, which showcases every Royal Rumble event in its entirety, up to the 2007 Royal Rumble, on March 13, 2007.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
event, produced every January by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
based in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The event was created in 1988, with its inaugural event taking place on January 24, 1988 at the Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...
in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. The event however was not a pay-per-view but was originally shown as a television special on USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. The following year's event
Royal Rumble (1989)
Royal Rumble was the second annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation , and the first one to be held on pay-per-view. It took place on January 15, 1989 at The Summit in Houston, Texas....
was the first Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. The first Royal Rumble match was won by Jim Duggan
Jim Duggan
James Edward Duggan , better known by his ring name "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment in the 1980s, when it was known as World Wrestling Federation , and World Championship Wrestling...
. The event's main feature is a Battle Royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
-type match, entitled the Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view is a part of WWE's "Big Four, along with WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
, SummerSlam
SummerSlam
SummerSlam is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in August by professional wrestling promotion WWE. The inaugural SummerSlam took place on August 29, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and was broadcast via pay-per-view, unlike the Royal Rumble of that...
, and Survivor Series
Survivor Series
The Survivor Series is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event held in November by WWE. It is one of the "Big Four" events, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam, as It is one of the original four pay-per-views produced by WWE....
. The Royal Rumble has been classified as being one of WWE's most popular pay-per-view events.
Professional wrestling is a non-competitive professional sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, where matches are prearranged by the promotion's writing staff, and is also considered an athletic performing art
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
, containing strong elements of catch wrestling
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
, mock combat
Mock combat
Mock combat involves the execution of combative actions without intent to harm. Participants can engage in such sparring for ritual, training, recreational or performance reasons...
, and theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
. Each PPV event features several professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines
Narrative thread
A narrative thread, or plot thread , refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters rather than to relate a matter in a dry 'All knowing' sort of narration...
. Wrestlers are portrayed as either villains
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
or heroes
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
in the scripted events that build tension and culminate into a wrestling match or series of matches.
The Royal Rumble is usually scheduled the weekend before the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
is played (exception was in 2002, when that year's Rumble took place during the NFL's Divisional Playoffs that year, two weeks before Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
). Usually, WWE has had the luxury of hosting this popular PPV while the NFL has a bye week before the Super Bowl game, which can translate into more revenue for WWE while avoiding competition from football for viewership. Exceptions to this rule were in 1991, 1994, 2000 and 2003, where the Royal Rumble took place at the same day as the NFL's Conference Championship games, and in 2002, reason noted above.
Match
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
match, in which a set number of participants aim at eliminating their competitors by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. The winner of the event is the last participant remaining after all others have been eliminated. A Royal Rumble match normally consists of 30 entrants. However, the inaugural match
Royal Rumble (1988)
Royal Rumble was the first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1988 at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario...
in 1988 featured 20 entrants, while the 2011 Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (2011)
Royal Rumble was the 24th annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on January 30, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts....
featured 40 entrants, the most in the history of the event.
The Royal Rumble differs from a battle royal as the contestants do not enter the ring at the same time but instead are assigned entry numbers, usually via lottery, although they can win guaranteed desirable spots via a number of other means, the most common being winning a match. This usually takes place before the Rumble begins. The match begins with the two participants who have drawn entry numbers one and two, with the remaining competitors entering the ring at regular timed intervals, either ninety seconds or two minutes, according to their entry number. These peculiarities are credited to Pat Patterson.
The match has no stipulations or rules other than that elimination must occur by a participant being placed over the top rope and both feet touching the floor. If they have any other part of the body touching they are also eliminated from the match. A wrestler who exits the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the contest. A prime example is from the 1999 Rumble match
Royal Rumble (1999)
Royal Rumble was the twelfth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1999 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The title of the event was taken from a promise by Mr...
, which saw both Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
and Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
leaving the ring, only to return later in the match. Elimination is also valid if brought about by an external force (such as a non-participant or a previously eliminated participant). For instance, in 2006
Royal Rumble (2006)
Royal Rumble was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 29, 2006 in the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and featured talent from the Raw and SmackDown! brands...
, Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
was eliminated from the match by Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon
Shane Brandon McMahon is an American executive, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of YOU On Demand. A former executive and professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment , he is the son of WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and former US Senate candidate Linda...
, who was never admitted in the match and simply was interfering to eliminate Michaels. This also happened in the 1998 match when Triple H and Chyna worked together to eliminate Owen Hart. In the 1994 match
Royal Rumble (1994)
Royal Rumble was the seventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 22, 1994 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The main event was the Royal Rumble match, a battle royal in which...
, the last two participants Bret Hart
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
and Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
were declared co-winners when it was decided that both of their feet touched the floor at exactly the same time. A similar situation occurred in the 2005 match
Royal Rumble (2005)
Royal Rumble was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 30, 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and featured talent from both the Raw and SmackDown! brands...
, however the match was restarted after Batista and John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
eliminated each other at the same time. Batista eliminated Cena afterwards to win the match. Though various referees are charged with observing the match, some eliminations have remained unnoticed with the eliminated participant sneaking back into the ring to continue. For example, Stone Cold Steve Austin was eliminated this way during the 1997 event
Royal Rumble (1997)
Royal Rumble was the tenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1997 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas....
but re-entered and eventually won the match.
Royal Rumble (1992)
Royal Rumble was the fifth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1992 at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York...
was the WWF Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
. The tradition of granting a WWE Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
match at WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
started in 1993. Despite being introduced in late 2002, it was not until 2004 that a winner had the option to choose a match for the World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
instead of the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. With the revival of the ECW World Championship
ECW World Heavyweight Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
in mid-2006, winners of the match were given a third option; this option was valid from 2007 until 2010. From 2001 to 2007, the Royal Rumble match winner had gone on to win a World Championship title at WrestleMania. After winning the 2008 match
Royal Rumble (2008)
Royal Rumble was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The event was...
, John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
became the first winner to use his championship opportunity at an event (No Way Out 2008
No Way Out (2008)
No Way Out was the ninth annual No Way Out professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on February 17, 2008 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada...
) other than WrestleMania. He also became the first man since 2000 to win the Royal Rumble match but fail to win the title in his championship opportunity as a result.
The Royal Rumble winner may also put his championship opportunity on the line in a match, if he chooses. This was first done in 1996, when Owen Hart
Owen Hart
Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
challenged Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
for his number one contender spot at In Your House 6
In Your House 6
In Your House 6: Rage In The Cage was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation, which took place on February 18, 1996 at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky.Six matches aired on the broadcast...
, after Hart had taken credit for potentially ending Michaels' career with a devastating enzuigiri on a November 1995 edition of Monday Night RAW
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
. Ultimately, Michaels prevailed and went on to challenge Bret Hart
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
at WrestleMania XII
WrestleMania XII
-Other on-screen talent:-External links:**...
. The second time this occurred was in 1999, when Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
offered to forfeit his title opportunity to the Big Boss Man
Ray Traylor
Ray Walter Traylor, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Big Boss Man and World Championship Wrestling under various ring names, most notably Big Bubba Rogers.-Early years:Traylor, a prison guard in...
, who won third place in the Royal Rumble (Austin was actually the runner-up, but the winner, Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, had voluntarily given up his title opportunity) if Vince McMahon could beat him in a cage match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House
St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House
St. Valentine's Day Massacre was the 27th pay-per-view under the In Your House name from the World Wrestling Federation. It took place on February 14, 1999 at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee...
, which Austin would go on to win. On another occasion, in 2006, Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
goaded Rey Mysterio into putting his main event spot at WrestleMania 22
WrestleMania 22
Notes: .The predominant feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Orton, to earn a World Championship match at WrestleMania. At No Way Out, Orton defeated...
on the line at No Way Out
No Way Out (2006)
No Way Out was the eighth annual No Way Out professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on February 19, 2006 at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland and was a SmackDown! brand-exclusive event...
, which Orton would go on to win. Mysterio was eventually reinserted into the main event at WrestleMania 22 and won the title.
Event
The Royal Rumble is a pay-per-viewPay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
consisting of the Royal Rumble match, championship matches, and various other matches. The first Royal Rumble took place on January 24, 1988 and was broadcast live on the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. The following year, the event was rebranded as a pay-per-view. It is part of WWE's "classic four" pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
, Survivor Series
Survivor Series
The Survivor Series is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event held in November by WWE. It is one of the "Big Four" events, along with WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam, as It is one of the original four pay-per-views produced by WWE....
, and SummerSlam
SummerSlam
SummerSlam is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in August by professional wrestling promotion WWE. The inaugural SummerSlam took place on August 29, 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and was broadcast via pay-per-view, unlike the Royal Rumble of that...
. The 2008 Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (2008)
Royal Rumble was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The event was...
was the first WWE pay-per-view to be available in high-definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
.
The Royal Rumble match is usually located at the top of the card, though there have been exceptions such as the 1997
Royal Rumble (1997)
Royal Rumble was the tenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1997 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas....
, 1998
Royal Rumble (1998)
Royal Rumble was the eleventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 18, 1998 at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California....
and 2006
Royal Rumble (2006)
Royal Rumble was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 29, 2006 in the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and featured talent from the Raw and SmackDown! brands...
events.
The first Rumble match featured only twenty men, and it was called the Rumble Royale. It lasted approximately thirty-three minutes of the two-hour broadcast. The modern Rumble matches are much longer, with the longest match, at the 2002 event
Royal Rumble (2002)
Royal Rumble was the fifteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 20, 2002 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia...
, lasting over one hour and nine minutes of an approximately three-hour pay-per-view.
With the brand extension
WWE Brand Extension
WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment , currently promotes its core business of professional wrestling through two "brands" named after their two major television shows Raw and SmackDown...
introduced in mid-2002, the 30 entrants from 2003 to 2006 consisted of 15 wrestlers from both the Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
and SmackDown brands. At first, the winner of the match received a shot at their brand's champion. Starting in 2004, the Rumble winner had the option of challenging any brand's champion. For instance, Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
switched brands in 2004 and won the World Heavyweight Championship. From 2007 to 2010, participants from the ECW brand competed along with the Raw and SmackDown brands, while the ECW World Championship
ECW World Heavyweight Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
became available for the winner to challenge for regardless of their designated brand. During ECW's participation, the entries for each brand were not evenly divided.
Dates, venues, & winners
| # | Event | Date | City | Venue | Winner | Entry # | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Rumble (1988) Royal Rumble (1988) Royal Rumble was the first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1988 at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario... |
January 24, 1988 | Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe... |
Copps Coliseum Copps Coliseum Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K... |
Jim Duggan Jim Duggan James Edward Duggan , better known by his ring name "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment in the 1980s, when it was known as World Wrestling Federation , and World Championship Wrestling... |
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| Royal Rumble (1989) Royal Rumble (1989) Royal Rumble was the second annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation , and the first one to be held on pay-per-view. It took place on January 15, 1989 at The Summit in Houston, Texas.... |
January 15, 1989 | Houston, Texas | The Summit | Big John Studd Big John Studd John William Minton was an American professional wrestler and actor who was born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania, better known by his ring name, Big John Studd.-Career:... |
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| Royal Rumble (1990) Royal Rumble (1990) Royal Rumble was the third annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It took place on January 21, 1990 at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida.... |
January 21, 1990 | Orlando, Florida Orlando, Florida Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... |
Orlando Arena | Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
|||
| Royal Rumble (1991) Royal Rumble (1991) Royal Rumble was the fourth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1991 at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida.... |
January 19, 1991 | Miami, Florida | Miami Arena Miami Arena The Miami Arena was an indoor arena in Miami, Florida.-History:Completed in 1988, at a cost of $52.5 million, its opening took business away from the Hollywood Sportatorium and eventually led to its demise... |
Hulk Hogan | |||
| Royal Rumble (1992) Royal Rumble (1992) Royal Rumble was the fifth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1992 at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York... |
January 19, 1992 | Albany, New York Albany, New York Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River... |
Knickerbocker Arena | Ric Flair Ric Flair Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world.... |
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| Royal Rumble (1993) Royal Rumble (1993) Royal Rumble was the sixth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1993 at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. The main event was a Royal Rumble match, a battle royal in which two wrestlers... |
January 24, 1993 | Sacramento, California Sacramento, California Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,... |
ARCO Arena | Yokozuna | |||
| Royal Rumble (1994) Royal Rumble (1994) Royal Rumble was the seventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 22, 1994 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The main event was the Royal Rumble match, a battle royal in which... |
January 22, 1994 | Providence, Rhode Island Providence, Rhode Island Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region... |
Providence Civic Center Dunkin' Donuts Center The Dunkin' Donuts Center , is an indoor arena, located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States... |
Bret Hart Bret Hart Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College... Lex Luger Lex Luger Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy... |
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| Royal Rumble (1995) Royal Rumble (1995) Royal Rumble was the eighth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 22, 1995, in the USF Sun Dome located in Tampa, Florida. The event featured five matches based on scripted storylines and the results... |
January 22, 1995 | Tampa, Florida Tampa, Florida Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709.... |
USF Sun Dome USF Sun Dome The USF Sun Dome is a multi-purpose facility, on the campus of the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida... |
Shawn Michaels Shawn Michaels Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December... |
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| Royal Rumble (1996) Royal Rumble (1996) Royal Rumble was the ninth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 21, 1996 at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California.... |
January 21, 1996 | Fresno, California Fresno, California Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation... |
Selland Arena Selland Arena The Selland Arena is a multi-purpose arena built in 1966 that makes up part of a five-venue complex of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center in Fresno, California. It is named after former Fresno mayor Arthur L. Selland and has had over ten million people walk through its doors in its over... |
Shawn Michaels | |||
| Royal Rumble (1997) Royal Rumble (1997) Royal Rumble was the tenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 19, 1997 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.... |
January 19, 1997 | San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome Alamodome The Alamodome is a domed 65,000 seat, multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, U.S... |
Steve Austin Stone Cold Steve Austin Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler... |
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| Royal Rumble (1998) Royal Rumble (1998) Royal Rumble was the eleventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 18, 1998 at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California.... |
January 18, 1998 | San Jose, California San Jose, California San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay... |
San Jose Arena | Steve Austin | |||
| Royal Rumble (1999) Royal Rumble (1999) Royal Rumble was the twelfth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 24, 1999 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The title of the event was taken from a promise by Mr... |
January 24, 1999 | Anaheim, California Anaheim, California Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States... |
Arrowhead Pond | Vince McMahon Vince McMahon Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE... |
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| Royal Rumble (2000) Royal Rumble (2000) Royal Rumble was the thirteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 23, 2000 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.... |
January 23, 2000 | New York, New York New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the... |
The Rock | |||
| Royal Rumble (2001) Royal Rumble (2001) Royal Rumble was the fourteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation... |
January 21, 2001 | New Orleans, Louisiana | New Orleans Arena New Orleans Arena New Orleans Arena is an indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the city's Central Business District, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.... |
Steve Austin | |||
| Royal Rumble (2002) Royal Rumble (2002) Royal Rumble was the fifteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 20, 2002 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia... |
January 20, 2002 | Atlanta, Georgia | Philips Arena Philips Arena Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia.Completed in 1999 to replace The Omni, at a cost of $213.5 million, it is home to the Atlanta Hawks, of the National Basketball Association, and the Atlanta Dream, of the Women's National Basketball Association... |
Triple H Triple H Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley... |
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| Royal Rumble (2003) Royal Rumble (2003) Royal Rumble was the sixteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . The event took place on January 19, 2003 at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts... |
January 19, 2003 | Boston, Massachusetts Boston Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had... |
FleetCenter | Brock Lesnar Brock Lesnar Brock Edward Lesnar is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is ranked the No.5 Heavyweight in the world by Sherdog... |
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| Royal Rumble (2004) Royal Rumble (2004) Royal Rumble was the seventeenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 25, 2004 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... |
January 25, 2004 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Wells Fargo Center | Chris Benoit Chris Benoit Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide... |
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| Royal Rumble (2005) Royal Rumble (2005) Royal Rumble was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 30, 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and featured talent from both the Raw and SmackDown! brands... |
January 30, 2005 | Fresno, California | Save Mart Center | Batista | |||
| Royal Rumble (2006) Royal Rumble (2006) Royal Rumble was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 29, 2006 in the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and featured talent from the Raw and SmackDown! brands... |
January 29, 2006 | Miami, Florida | American Airlines Arena | Rey Mysterio | |||
| Royal Rumble (2007) Royal Rumble (2007) Royal Rumble was the twentieth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 28, 2007 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown! and ECW brands. This marked the first... |
January 28, 2007 | San Antonio, Texas | AT&T Center AT&T Center AT&T Center is an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, USA. It seats 18,581, for basketball , 13,800, for ice hockey and 19,000, for concerts or religious gatherings and contains 2,018 club seats, 50 luxury suites and 32 bathrooms .It was completed in 2002, as the SBC... |
The Undertaker | |||
| Royal Rumble (2008) Royal Rumble (2008) Royal Rumble was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The event was... |
January 27, 2008 | New York, New York | Madison Square Garden | John Cena John Cena John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand.... |
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| Royal Rumble (2009) Royal Rumble (2009) Royal Rumble was the twenty-second annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 25, 2009 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands... |
January 25, 2009 | Detroit, Michigan | Joe Louis Arena Joe Louis Arena Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight... |
Randy Orton Randy Orton Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand... |
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| Royal Rumble (2010) Royal Rumble (2010) Royal Rumble was the twenty-third annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 31, 2010 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands... |
January 31, 2010 | Atlanta, Georgia | Philips Arena | Edge | 29 | ||
| Royal Rumble (2011) Royal Rumble (2011) Royal Rumble was the 24th annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on January 30, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.... |
January 30, 2011 | Boston, Massachusetts | TD Garden | Alberto Del Rio | 38 | ||
| Royal Rumble (2012) | January 29, 2012 | St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... |
Scottrade Center Scottrade Center Scottrade Center is a 19,150 seat arena located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, opened in 1994. It is the home of the St... |
Royal Rumble records
Most Rumble Victories| Wrestler | Royal Rumble Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Cold Stone Cold Steve Austin Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler... |
3 | 1997,1998,2001 |
| Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
2 | 1990,1991 |
| Shawn Michaels Shawn Michaels Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December... |
2 | 1995,1996 |
Most Final Six Appearances
| Wrestler | Final Six Appearances | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kane Kane (wrestler) Glenn Thomas Jacobs is a Spanish-born American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name, Kane. He is signed to WWE, appearing on its SmackDown brand, but is currently inactive due to injury.... |
6 | 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 |
| Rob Van Dam Rob Van Dam Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
4 | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 |
| Shawn Michaels | 6 | 1994, 1995, 1996, 2006, 2007, 2010 |
| Undertaker | 5 | 1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009 |
| Steve Austin | 5 | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 |
| John Cena | 5 | 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 |
| Randy Orton | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 |
| Batista | 4 | 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010 |
Most Times Becoming Runner-up
| Wrestler | Runner-up Times | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Big Show | 2 | 2000, 2004 |
| Triple H | 2 | 2008, 2009 |
| John Cena | 2 | 2005, 2010 |
Longest Time Spent in a Single Royal Rumble
Top ten longest time in the single match. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
| Wrestler | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Rey Mysterio | 1:02:12 | 2006 |
| Chris Benoit | 1:01:30 | 2004 |
| Bob Backlund Bob Backlund Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund is an American professional wrestler with an in ring career that spanned over 30 years. Over that time, he went on to become a two-time WWWF/WWF Champion... |
1:01:10 | 1993 |
| Triple H | 1:00:09 | 2006 |
| Ric Flair | 59:36 | 1992 |
| Steve Austin | 56:38 | 1999 |
| Vince McMahon | 56:38 | 1999 |
| Kane | 54:49 | 2001 |
| Rick Martel Rick Martel Richard Vigneault is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1980 and 1995 under the ring name Rick Martel... |
52:17 | 1991 |
| The Rock | 51:32 | 1998 |
Shortest Time Spent in a Single Royal Rumble
Only wrestlers that spent less than 15 seconds in a single rumble are shown.
| Wrestler | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Santino Marella | 0:00:01 | 2009 |
| The Warlord Terry Szopinski Terry Scott Szopinski is an American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name The Warlord and for his tenures in Jim Crockett Promotions and the World Wrestling Federation as one half of the Powers of Pain alongside The Barbarian.-National Wrestling Alliance / Jim Crockett... |
0:00:02 | 1989 |
| Mo Robert Horne (wrestler) Robert Lawrence Horne is a retired American professional wrestler who is most famous for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as Mo, part of the tag-team Men on a Mission with partner Mabel.-Harlem Knights:... |
0:00:03 | 1995 |
| Owen Hart Owen Hart Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The... |
0:00:03 | 1995 |
| Bushwhacker Luke | 0:00:04 | 1991 |
| Jerry Lawler Jerry Lawler Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional... |
0:00:04 | 1997 |
| Gillberg Duane Gill Duane Gill is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in the World Wrestling Federation as Gillberg, a parody of then-rival promotion World Championship Wrestling's top star Goldberg. During his tenure in the WWF, Gill became a one time Light Heavyweight Champion... |
0:00:07 | 1999 |
| The Miz | 0:00:07 | 2007 |
| Montel Vontavious Porter | 0:00:07 | 2010 |
| Tazz | 0:00:10 | 2001 |
| Bushwhacker Luke | 0:00:12 | 1995 |
| Shawn Michaels | 0:00:12 | 1990 |
| Tom Brandi | 0:00:12 | 1998 |
| The Sandman | 0:00:13 | 2007 |
| Billy Gunn Billy Gunn William Gunn or Bill Gunn may refer to:*Bill Gunn , Australian rules footballer*Bill Gunn , member of Australian parliament... |
0:00:14 | 1994 |
| The Goodfather | 0:00:14 | 2001 |
| Brian Kendrick Brian Kendrick Brian David Kendrick is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under his real name. Before joining TNA he spent several years wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled under his name, as Spanky, and finally as "The" Brian Kendrick... |
0:00:15 | 2009 |
| Finlay | 0:00:15 | 2008 |
| Golga John Tenta John Anthony Tenta was a Canadian professional wrestler known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake and later Golga, and in World Championship Wrestling as Avalanche and The Shark.-Early life:John Tenta was born in Surrey, British Columbia... |
0:00:15 | 1999 |
Lowest Time to Spend in a Rumble and Win
| Wrestler | Total | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Edge | 07:19 | 2010 |
| John Cena | 08:28 | 2008 |
| Alberto Del Rio | 08:33 | 2011 |
| Brock Lesnar | 08:59 | 2003 |
| Batista | 10:54 | 2005 |
Most Eliminations in a Single Royal Rumble
Top wrestlers with most eliminations in a single match. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
| Wrestler | # of Eliminations | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kane | 11 | 2001 |
| Hulk Hogan | 10 | 1989 |
| Steve Austin | 10 | 1997 |
| Shawn Michaels | 8 | 1995 |
| Shawn Michaels | 8 | 1996 |
| Steve Austin | 8 | 1999 |
| Hulk Hogan | 7 | 1991 |
| Diesel Kevin Nash Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster... |
7 | 1994 |
| Steve Austin | 7 | 1998 |
| Undertaker | 7 | 2002 |
| The Great Khali | 7 | 2007 |
| CM Punk | 7 | 2011 |
| John Cena | 7 | 2011 |
| Yokozuna | 7 | 1993 |
Most Consecutive Eliminations in a Single Rumble
Only wrestlers with at least 5 consecutive eliminations are shown.
| Wrestler | Total | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Hulk Hogan | 8 | 1989 |
| Diesel | 7 | 1994 |
| Rikishi | 7 | 2000 |
| The Great Khali | 7 | 2007 |
| CM Punk | 7 | 2011 |
| Kane | 6 | 2001 |
| Undertaker | 6 | 2002 |
| Steve Austin | 6 | 2002 |
| Shawn Michaels | 6 | 2010 |
| John Cena | 6 | 2011 |
| Mabel | 5 | 1999 |
| Kane | 5 | 1999 |
| Sid Justice Sid Eudy Sidney Raymond "Sid" Eudy is an American professional wrestler, best known as Sid Vicious in World Championship Wrestling, and as Sid Justice and Sycho Sid in the World Wrestling Federation... |
5 | 1992 |
| The Big Show | 5 | 2009 |
Diva Entrants
| Diva | Rumbles Entered |
|---|---|
| Chyna | 2 (1999, 2000) |
| Beth Phoenix Beth Phoenix Elizabeth Kocianski is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE where she wrestles on the Raw brand under the ring name Beth Phoenix, where she is the reigning WWE Divas Champion.... |
1 (2010) |
Total Eliminations in Cumulative Royal Rumbles
The ten wrestlers with the most eliminations. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
| Wrestler | # of Eliminations | Rumbles Entered |
|---|---|---|
| Shawn Michaels | 39 | 12 |
| Kane | 37 | 15 |
| Steve Austin | 36 | 6 |
| Undertaker | 35 | 10 |
| Hulk Hogan | 27 | 4 |
| Triple H | 26 | 8 |
| Big Show | 21 | 7 |
| John Cena | 18 | 6 |
| Edge | 17 | 6 |
| Randy Orton | 15 | 5 |
Totals include Kane's previous personas as Isaac Yankem and the new Diesel.
Most Rumble Appearances
Only wrestlers with at least 6 appearances are shown. As of the 2011 Royal Rumble.
| Wrestler | Rumbles Entered | First Rumble | Most Recent Rumble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kane | 15 | 1996 | 2011 |
| Shawn Michaels | 12 | 1989 | 2010 |
| Rikishi Solofa Fatu Solofa F. Fatu, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Rikishi.-The Samoan Swat Team:... |
10 | 1993 | 2004 |
| Undertaker | 10 | 1991 | 2009 |
| Big Daddy V Nelson Frazier, Jr. Nelson Frazier, Jr. is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring names Mabel, Viscera, Big Daddy V, and King V. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment... |
8 | 1994 | 2008 |
| Triple H | |8 | 1996 | 2010 |
| Shelton Benjamin Shelton Benjamin Shelton James Benjamin is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment. Benjamin has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling in high school and at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Benjamin has acted... |
8 | 2003 | 2010 |
| Big Show | 8 | 2000 | 2011 |
| Billy Gunn Monty Sopp Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James... |
7 | 1994 | 2004 |
| Rick Martel Rick Martel Richard Vigneault is a retired Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1980 and 1995 under the ring name Rick Martel... |
7 | 1989 | 1995 |
| Jake Roberts Jake Roberts Aurelian Jake Smith, Jr. is a second-generation American professional wrestler, the son of former wrestler Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith... |
7 | 1988 | 1997 |
| Owen Hart | 7 | 1993 | 1999 |
| The Godfather Charles Wright (wrestler) Charles Wright is an American businessman and former professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation throughout the 1990s and early 2000s under the ring names Papa Shango, Kama, Kama Mustafa, The Godfather, and The Goodfather .After leaving the wrestling... |
7 | 1993 | 2002 |
| Hardcore Holly Bob Holly Robert "Bob" Howard better known by his ring name Bob "Hardcore" Holly, is a American professional wrestler. He is best known for his 15-year stint with World Wrestling Entertainment .... |
7 | 1994 | 2008 |
| Goldust | 7 | 1997 | 2009 |
| Matt Hardy Matt Hardy Matthew Moore "Matt" Hardy is a semi-retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
7 | 2001 | 2010 |
| Mark Henry Mark Henry Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic... |
7 | 1998 | 2011 |
| Booker T | 7 | 2002 | 2011 |
| Tito Santana Tito Santana Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation... |
6 | 1988 | 1993 |
| Randy Savage Randy Savage Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a... |
6 | 1989 | 1994 |
| British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith Davey Boy Smith was a British professional wrestler, better known as "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, who was born in Golborne in North West England, United Kingdom. Smith is known for his appearances with Stampede Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling... |
6 | 1991 | 2000 |
| Steve Austin | 6 | 1996 | 2002 |
| Edge | 6 | 1999 | 2010 |
| Chris Jericho Chris Jericho Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer... |
6 | 2000 | 2010 |
| Rob Van Dam | 6 | 2002 | 2009 |
| John Cena | 6 | 2003 | 2011 |
| John Morrison | 6 | 2006 | 2011 |
Totals include Kane's previous personas as Isaac Yankem and the new Diesel.
Totals include Rikishi's previous personas as Fatu and the Sultan.
Totals include Triple H's previous presonas as Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Totals include Big Daddy V's previous persona as Mabel and Viscera.
Totals include The Godfather's previous personas as Papa Shango and Kama Mustafa.
Totals include Hardcore Holly's previous persona as Bob "Spark Plugg" Holly.
Totals include Booker T's previous persona as King Booker.
Totals include Steve Austin's previous persona as The Ringmaster
Totals include John Morrison's previous persona as Johnny Nitro
Most Wrestlers Required to Eliminate Someone
Only wrestlers that needed 4 or more people to eliminate them are shown.
| Wrestler | Total | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Viscera | 8 | 2007 |
| Mabel | 7 | 1994 |
| Rikishi | 6 | 2000 |
| Kurrgan | 6 | 1998 |
| Muhammad Hassan | 6 | 2005 |
| Diesel | 5 | 1994 |
| Earthquake | 5 | 1990 |
| John Morrison | 4 | 2011 |
| Mark Henry | 4 | 2011 |
The Most Winning Entrant Wrestlers Won On:
27
| Wrestler | Year |
|---|---|
| Big John Studd | 1989 |
| Yokozuna | 1993 |
| Bret Hart | 1994 |
| Stone Cold Steve Austin | 2001 |
Royal Rumble Information
Wrestlers Who Eliminated Themselves| Wrestler | Year |
|---|---|
| André the Giant | 1989 |
| Randy Savage* | 1992 |
| Ahmed Johnson | 1997 |
| Mil Máscaras | 1997 |
| Faarooq | 1997 |
| Kane | 1999 |
| Drew Carey | 2001 |
| Mick Foley | 2004 |
| Montel Vontavious Porter | 2010 |
- The elimination was ignored.
Wrestlers Who Never Entered
| Wrestler | Year |
|---|---|
| Randy Savage | 1991 |
| Bastion Booger | 1994 |
| Skull | 1998 |
| Spike Dudley | 2004 |
| Scotty 2 Hotty | 2005 |
| Finlay | 2008 |
Wrestlers Who Had Their Number Stolen
| Wrestler | Stolen by | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mosh | Mabel | 1999 |
| Test | Mick Foley | 2004 |
| Nunzio | Kurt Angle | 2005 |
Wrestlers Who Were Eliminated by Outside People
| Wrestler | Eliminator(s) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Roddy Piper | Bad News Brown | 1990 |
| Sid Justice | Hulk Hogan | 1992 |
| The Undertaker | Giant Gonzales* | 1993 |
| Owen Hart | Triple H & Chyna* | 1998 |
| Mabel | Mideon, Faarooq and Bradshaw* | 1999 |
| Maven | The Undertaker | 2002 |
| Shawn Michaels | Kurt Angle | 2005 |
| Shawn Michaels | Shane McMahon* | 2006 |
| Kane | King Booker | 2007 |
| The Undertaker | Big Show | 2009 |
| John Cena | The Miz* | 2011 |
- Not a participated of that years Royal Rumble.
Video box set
WWE released a complete DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
box set entitled Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology, which showcases every Royal Rumble event in its entirety, up to the 2007 Royal Rumble, on March 13, 2007.
See also
- Battle royalBattle royal (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
- Gauntlet for the GoldGauntlet for the GoldThe Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold...
- WCW World War 3WCW World War 3World War 3 was an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling. The pay-per-view's title also was the name of its signature match, a three-ring, sixty-man battle royal which was their answer to the World Wrestling Federation's Royal Rumble. The event...