WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble Moments: Top 10 Highlights

Royal Rumble is among the most favorite annual spectaculars in WWE. It dates back to 1988 and is a Royal Rumble match that includes 30, if possible even more, wrestlers going head-to-head with each other in timed intervals to determine the last man standing after all others have thrown themselves over the top rope. Such a unique format to the event saw some of the most unforgettable moments in WWE history. It has included shocking returns and record-breaking performances to the athletic display, strategic maneuvering, and dramatic storytelling that unfolds throughout. In this article, I will take you through WWE’s top Royal Rumble moments by breaking down the top ten which has highlighted this iconic match.

1. Ric Flair Wins the 1992 Royal Rumble

The Context
The 1992 Royal Rumble is often referred to as one of the best matches in WWE history for the simple reason that it was the very first time—actually, the only time—that the winner would be handed the WWF Championship. This stipulation brought a great deal of prestige and importance to the match itself, luring in top-tier talent and raising the stakes for all involved.

The Moment
How could someone own such a disadvantageous position for number 3 in a grueling Royal Rumble match and actually go to win as the last man standing? Against all conceivable odds, that is when Flair came into the Royal Rumble fray at number three and pulled a stunning turn of events almost an hour into the fray by landing most consistently and intensely in continuing his legendary display of resilience and savvy inside the ring. He was even able to claim victory after veteran Sid Justice was thrown out of the ring by joining hands with Hulk Hogan who, in fact, was already ejected but stood outside the ring.

The Legacy
The victory and the ensuing WWF Championship proved without a doubt that Flair was one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. His promo after the match—he said, “With a tear in my eye, this is the greatest moment in my life”—is etched securely into the minds of wrestling fans. Adjusted for the very reasons it is one of the most iconic promos in the history of the WWE, it will never be forgotten.

2. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Three Rumble Wins

The Situation
Stone Cold Steve Austin is synonymous with The Royal Rumble. He became a record three-time winner by taking the victories in 1997, 1998, and 2001. Every single victory played a seminal role in establishing him as probably the biggest star in the WWE at that time and as a leading figure in the attitude era.

The Moments
1997: Despite being controversial and showing a new level of conniving from Austin, the first Rumble win was because of the missed call in which Bret Hart eliminated him, with the refs missing the elimination and allowing Austin back in to eventually go on and win.

1998: Austin wore the bullseye on his back because most were out to get rid of him. But, when all was said and done, he beat the odds once again and threw out The Rock to take his second straight Rumble win.

2001: Winning his third Rumble finally, it’s indubitably Austin’s hardest-fought. For most of the night, he was left for dead by Triple H and survived to outlast 29 others around due to a record 11 eliminations from dominating Kane on the way.

Impact
Of course, those three Royal Rumble victories by Austin in that time frame indeed truly helped champion the man into the main event spot, which means other things: business. Those had been stepping stones for the main event of multiple Wrestlemanias and had been trainer straps for him to grasp in order to be determined as one of the all-time top World Wrestling Federation Superstars.

3. Shawn Michaels’ Iron Man Performance in 1995

The Context
Already in 1995, Shawn Michaels was known for being one of the best athletic performers and that he really knew how to work a great match. The tragedy that took place during the Petersborough house show for ’95 really just vaulted him to superstardom unclimbed before. The intervals were much shorter for the 1995 Royal Rumble event, really adding frantic pace and excitement to the event.

The Moment
Shawn Michaels drew number 1 getting into the Royal Rumble as a number that had never produced a winner. Michaels showed why he was so great in the “Big 4” matches displaying his staying power and trickiness keeping the crowd on its heels as he found himself in the last 2 with the British Bulldog, it was the 6th out of the 9 Rumble participants that was supposedly thrown out having only one foot touch the floor.

He, however, got back into the ring, laid his opponent out, and succeeded in pushing the British Bulldog Vader over the top in his match.

The Legacy
The win by Michaels from that number 1 spot was utterly groundbreaking and one that literally paced the way forward in terms of the word “endurance” during a Royal Rumble. That would earn him the moniker of “The Showstopper” in what was really beginning to define Michaels as among the greatest WWE performers ever. With a dramatic finish, with only one foot touching the floor, it was one of the most replayed moments in Royal Rumble history.

4. The Rock vs. Big Show ’00 Fiasco

The Context
The 2000 Royal Rumble was anchored in the middle of the most popular period of WWE. The main event scene was bursting with names, and fans anticipated it badly. The Rock was one of the major stars in the company, and fans eagerly awaited to see his participation and performance in the match.

The Moment
Now came the last two competitors: The Rock and Big Show. Then, the most controversial finish came after The Rock appeared to have thrown Big Show to the outside, over the top rope. Lesser-seen replays revealed that it had been The Rock who had made contact first with the floor, using his feet rather than Big Show, who was technically the winner. That said, The Rock was announced the winner post Boost Aviv, which set up another storyline.

The Legacy
The controversy just added to the intrigue of The Rock’s victory and his subsequent path to Wrestlemania. Fans still argue about this finish, but it perfectly illustrated one of the WWE’s strongest points at taking things like this to move storylines further and make great TV. The Rock’s mind-blowing charisma and topmost dominance always put his wars with The Big Show in the top spots of slobberknockers from the early 2000s WWE.

5. John Cena’s Surprise Comeback in 2008

The Situation
On a side note this WWE top superstar was sidelined when he injured his torn pectoral muscle in late 2007, was scheduled to be out of action for several months and date of return had not been fixed till now. Fans got a surprise return from Cena much, much early from the schedule.

The Moment
And then he got one of the biggest reactions in wrestling history when he made a return to Madison Square Garden at number 30, entering the Royal Rumble. The shocked look on fans and fellow competitors alike was a visible indicator of exactly how big this moment was going to be. Cena went on to win the match by eliminating Triple H to punch his ticket to the forefront at WrestleMania.

Impact
Cena’s surprising return is that one moment which often finds its place on the list of the greatest Royal Rumble moments of all time. It accentuated his braced mental and physical powers and the will connected with a profession, and finally—what was necessary—in order to recognize him as one of the top stars working for WWE. In short, the moment gets replayed a lot and really sums up just how unpredictable the Royal Rumble match can be.

6. Rey Mysterio’s Tribute to Eddie Guerrero in 2006

The Situation
The unsupportable loss of Eddie Guerrero in November 2005 put a sort of dull assumption of grief in the wrestling scenario in those days. A grieving, but committed friend, and wrestler Ree Mysterio wanted to pay homage to the departed soul in his unique way. So he did in the 2006 Royal Rumble.

The Moment
At #2, Rey Mysterio had the most challenging route to a Royal Rumble victory possible. His was an emotional and inspirational performance as Rey checks in with over 62 minutes in the match—officially setting a new record for the longest time spent in a single Royal Rumble match. His eventual victory came after eliminating Randy Orton, to whom he dedicated his win.

Impact
The victory of Mysterio paid a very sweet tribute to Eddie Guerrero that the audience totally felt. His resilience and fight-back in the match established him as probably one of the most talented and loved performers working for WWE. And that win itself remains one of the most remembered and most emotional moments in Royal Rumble history.

7. Record Breaking Store – Kane’s 2001

The Context
Kane had emerged as “The Big Red Machine,” standing firmly as one of the most domineering and intimidating personas WWE had on its roster. By the year 2001, he was a ring-worn wrestler who had won virtually every accolade in the book. The coming Royal Rumble match that year would put another impressive feat in his resume.

The Moment
Entered as number 6, Kane gave one of the most tremendous performances in the history of the 2001 Royal Rumble, as he spent over 53 minutes in becoming the longest-serving individual in the ring at the event. The 11 eliminations set a new record for the most elimination in the Royal Rumble, even topping the previous record-holder by one. The record would last for over a decade and a half. Apart from the record, one of Kane’s accomplished feats is the elimination of superstars like The Rock and The Undertaker. In the end, however, the last man to be thrown out was Kane, by Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The Legacy
Bursting with life in his strength and stamina, Kane’s record-shattering performance all but established him as a force to be reckoned with. Actually, his record of 11 eliminations was only broken in 2014, when Roman Reigns managed that record. Kane’s performance, as such, is still regarded among the most dominant that the Royal Rumble match has ever seen.

8. The Edge Comeback for the Year 2020

The Situation
Edge is a WWE Hall of Famer, multi-time champion, and quite simply one of the best of his generation who had to retire in 2011 due to a serious neck injury, shocking the wrestling world as fans felt they may never see “The Rated-R Superstar” in the ring again. This got the fans uneasy, and the feeling of Edge finally getting into the ring again was pondered.

That Moment
Edge did come back at the 2020 Royal Rumble; he was an entrant #21. The minute his music hit, the building blew up, and Edge emoted everything. He had an incredible performance yet again and personified that grit and determination. Edge would go on to eliminate numerous competitors such as AJ Styles and past rival Randy Orton, before Roman Reigns would eliminate him.

The Legacy
Edge’s return to competition is really the moment that brings tears to wrestling fans everywhere. It proves that the man does have wrestling running in every vein in his body, and what a journey he has gone on. Edge’s re-entering the Royal Rumble amplified the show that much more and added yet another moment to the list of greats that have accumulated over the years in respect to the special moments that only it is capable of delivering upon.

9. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels

The Context
The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels are clear class acts of this—a pair of the all-time greats in WWE history. More than surely mere Bethesda Extras by this 2007 juncture, the two seniors have managed to steal plenty of shows with the work in their matches across the years. But, for these two legends, a match in that Royal Rumble meant more.

The moment
The final two participants in the 2007 Royal Rumble were The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. What followed was a short match that had everyone in the hall on their feet. These two superstars exchanged near eliminations by each other such that the crowd roared every time an elimination was attempted. In the end, the man to win his maiden Royal Rumble match was The Undertaker, who had eliminated Michaels.

Impact
Many consider the final encounter between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels as one of the most unsurpassed endings in Royal Rumble. Their chemistry and narration skills marked the epicness set to be followed by bigger things coming from the two men. This moment added mystique to both superstars and still can be considered as the highlight of the Royal Rumble history.

10. Brock Lesnar in 2020

The Setting
Brock Lesnar, the former Champion Heavyweight Wrestler of UFC and WWE Universal Champion, is known just for his supreme domination and power with his terrific presence. By 2020, Lesnar already emerged a relic of domination in the WWE, but he only made part-time performances, not full time. During the Royal Rumble match, for 2020, it really gave a different kind of vibe to the fans.

The Moment
And then the number one entrant, Brock Lesnar, dominated the match like no man in a Royal Rumble match ever has. He managed to get 13 eliminations, breaking the most in a Royal Rumble match. Lesnar’s dominance in the match continued until he was finally eliminated, ending up at the hands of Drew McIntyre himself; eventually, that’s the opponent who won.

The Legacy
Lesnar’s performance at the 2020 Royal Rumble helped illustrate his athletic and powerful display as he eliminated 13 others in total and was going to be dominant in the event, thus adding another chapter to a hall of fame career. The moment also served as a launching pad for Drew McIntyre to the main event scene, culminating in his WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 36.

Conclusion
The Royal Rumble, as part of the WWE calendar of events each year, seems to be perennially action-packed, producing moments that people take away and which can capture fans’ imaginations. From Ric Flair’s iconic title win in 1992 to Edge’s emotional return last year, the Royal Rumble has tipped in any number of highlights that either defined superstars’ careers for WWE talent or made an impact on the history of professional wrestling. Those top 10 moments represent the very best of what the Royal Rumble has to offer in terms of drama, excitement, and a feel of unpredictability. The domain of new and vintage spectacles would always present another exciting week as WWE foraged forward.