Royal Rumble Rewind: The Most Memorable Moments In Rumble History

The WWE Royal Rumble is one of the most awaited events in professional wrestling. With such a unique format, it promises human beings moments of a lifetime that they would never be able to forget. Since 1988, the Royal Rumble has always been a great event where wrestlers express themselves, make stunning comebacks, and forge occasions to be remembered for ages in WWE history. In this article, relive some of the most unforgettable Royal Rumble moments in history—drama, action, and purely unpredictable moments that define this iconic event.

Birth of the Royal Rumble (1988)
The first kind of event to be held under the brand name Royal Rumble was on January 24, 1988, at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It was created by WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson, and the concept was that, unlike a typical battle royal, which would see all contestants there in the ring right from the get-go, in a Royal Rumble, there are timely intervals where a new wrestler would enter the ring.

That innovation added yet another layer of strategy and excitement to the game, ensuring that every match would be a one-off spectacle.

This first match in the Royal Rumble series, broadcast on the USA Network, had 20 participants and was won by “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Although, in its first days, that event did not yet carry the stipulation of being the real main event of WrestleMania, it still remains as a fixture on the WWE’s yearly calendar.

Hulk Hogan’s Dominance (1989)
Hulk Hogan – One of the biggest stars in WWE history, controversially helped make an indelible impression in the event’s formative years. By taking part in the 1989, 1990 and 1991 Royal Rumble matches, Hogan has engendered his legacy as a dominant force inside WWE.

1989: Hogan’s First Rumble
Expanded to 30 participants for the 1989 edition, things seemed ready to explode. Hulk Hogan was considered the odds-on favorite coming into this one and sent speculators home happy since he eliminated nine, too, in what was the Rumble record that stood back then, proving his seriousness in both power and popularity. He was eventually eliminated by the Twin Towers of Big Boss Man and Akeem, setting up future feuds with that pair.

1990: Royal Rumble
At the 1990 Royal Rumble, Hulk Hogan secured the win, solidifying his position as the marquee performer in the WWE. His ability to throw out Mr. Perfect near the end of the Rumble through the ropes was quite notable, as was indeed his subsequent playground with the WWE fans—an image practically etched in everyone’s minds. Hogan displayed resilience and the ability to move the audiences in setting records that day.

1991: The Immortal One’s Second Victory
Hogan made first-ever history in 1991 when he became the winner of two subsequent Royal Rumble matches. Coming in at number 24, Hogan grabbed the victory played out in the turmoil, getting stiff competition all over him, which included the likes of Earthquake. This further solidified Hogan’s legacy and the importance of the Royal Rumble in setting WWE’s Main Event scene.

Ric Flair’s Iron Man Hang In (199
This ranks among the very best Rumbles ever held, and that in large part is down to a canny brilliant performance from Ric Flair. There was an extra aspect of drama in the match, as the man who won would be declared the new WWF Champion, since the title was vacant.

Endurance of Flair
Flair drew number three in the lineup, which was hard; it took outlasting 29 other competitors. Throughout the hour-long effort, Flair once more illustrated stamina, technical prowess, and cunning strategy. His ability to survive those encounters with some of WWE’s top stars likely showed why Flair is one of the best wrestlers ever.

The Last Four
The climax of the match saw Flair in the final four, which also included Hulk Hogan, Sid Justice, and Randy Savage. It was Sid Justice who was eliminated by Flair in the end to win and secure the WWE Championship, with an assist from Hogan. This post-match promo, where famously he said, “With a tear in my eye, this is the greatest moment of my life,” remains one of the most emotional and memorable in the history of Royal Rumbles.

The Birth of Austin 3:16 (1997)
It can be traced back that the meteoric rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin to superstardom began with the 1997 Royal Rumble. This performance was a clear masterclass of ruthless and tenacious competition, breaking this week’s five-man battle royal field open at number five.

The Dominance of the R
Austin eliminated ten competitors; a record at the time. Cementing his position as an unrelenting force, his antics throughout the match included his iconic moment where he sat atop the top turnbuckle, checked his imaginary watch, and looked at his wristwatch.

CHE Procast
The end of the 1997 Royal Rumble was controversial at best. After being eliminated by Bret Hart, Austin illegally entered the ring and tossed the confused Hart over the top rope to claim victory. This controversial ending set up Austin’s rise to the main event, cementing major feuds like Hart/Austin at WrestleMania 13 into prevailing legacies.

Mick Foley’s Triple Persona (1998)
Mick Foley’s presence in the 1998 Royal Rumble comments on one’s versatility and one’s readiness to please the Universe of WWE. Known to portray a host of various characters, Foley went on to make three difficult entrances in that particular match: Cactus Jack, Mankind, and Dude Love.

Cactus Jack

Foley came out as Cactus Jack, and he and Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) started off by having an incredibly physical battle that went hardcore, waging war all the way to the mat, involving chairs and a gallon trash can. Their hardcore segments set the pace for the rest was going to be a wacky and insane Rumble.

After his elimination as Cactus Jack, Foley re-entered the match disguised as Mankind. During his second stint in the match, he performed in his traditional aggressive style, including many of his normal offensive maneuvers in the match, giving another exciting spot to the match.

Dude Love
As Dude Love, Foley’s last entry was replete with a great deal of merriment and charisma added to his natural sense of showmanship. Thrown out in short order, rather predictably, perspective wise, the 1998 Royal Rumble sits among the many angles that served to show exactly what Foley added to the already-present total of the WWE.

Mr. McMahon Wins the Rumble (1999)
The 1999 Royal Rumble was one of the most predictable and yet controversial finishes for any event in this series. The entire scene was set, heavily laced with the heat of an emerging rivalry, about a feud—Stone Cold Steve Austin versus WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon.

Entrant number two, Austin was the target of the Corporation, led by Mr. McMahon. Though up against all manner of obstacles and attacks, Austin gutted his way through the match with his usual tenacity.

McMahon’s Triumph
Mr. McMahon himself, having entered the match at number 1, spent most of that time evading confrontation by staying out of the ring. It turned into a shocking moment, when McMahon won the event by capitalizing on the distraction The Rock provided to eliminate Austin. This completely angry situation led to a tremendous amount of freeloading between Austin and McMahon, which concluded in the legendary steel cage match between them at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

The Return of The Rock (2000)
Enter the 2000 Royal Rumble and have returned to the Rumble, one of the most electrifying figures within the history of the WWE: The Rock.

The People’s Champion
Here to come in at entry number 24 are The Rock, turning things up, bringing charisma that had these fans on the edge of their seats, building energy, and just being the real ring master. These fans didn’t even buckle in their seats watching his antics against such competition as Big Show, Chris Jericho, and Rikishi.

Controversial Finish
The conclusion to the Match saw only two competitors remaining: The Rock and Big Show. In a shocking and somewhat disputed finish, The Rock was able to hold on to the ropes and eliminate Big Show to win the match.

Though controversial in nature, in that its finishing move had both men’s feet hitting the floor at once, The Rock defeated that to become the clear number one contender and set up his final showdown with Triple H at WrestleMania 2000.

The Miracle on Bourbon Street (2014)
Daniel Bryan’s chase for the main event of WrestleMania 30 is probably one of the most inspiring WWE stories of all time. The entire WWE Universe was outraged and moved by the indubitable framing of a storyline booking in no-show not being tagged in the 2014 Royal Rumble.

The Yes Movement
Bryan’s exclusion from the Rumble match begot the “Yes Movement,” a rallying cry by fans in support of Bryan being included in the main event at WrestleMania. Fans took the front in a support that forced WWE to readjust its intentions, which eventually led to Bryan getting a spot in the title picture.

WrestleMania 30 Triumph
Although Daniel Bryan did not appear at the Royal Rumble 2014, the aftermath of the show was the most critical in his path to WrestleMania 30. The triumph against Triple H in the first match and especially at the top of the card when he outlasted Batista and Randy Orton for WWE World Heavyweight Championship will go down in the annals of the example-setting night, a chain reaction that was accomplished with fan power.

Edge’s Triumphant Return (2020)
The 2020 Royal Rumble will be remembered by all, with the emotional, out-of-nowhere return of Edge—a guy who retired nine years previously due to a career-ending neck injury.

The Rated-R Superstar’s Return
The reaction to Edge was a roar heard round the WWE Universe. Edge running down to the ring and crying could be seen within some of the most emotional moments in Royal Rumble history.

Final Four
What should not be forgotten, though, was that performance of epic proportion that Edge put up within the match. He took out numerous other competitors, even his former tag team partner Randy Orton, and made it to the final four. He’d eventually be eliminated by Roman Reigns, but that run performance and subsequent effort further emphasized the fun fact that is his rather long-lasting legacy: getting out there and entertaining the audiences.

An Introduction to the Dominance of Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar was dominant, entering as the WWE Champion and making his intention declared to eliminate any competitor in 2020.

Excessive Value Destruction
Lesnar entered the match at number 1 and went on an unprecedented run himself, eliminating a total of 13 other competitors in a row. That stratospheric elevation of performance managed to shed light, anew, on just what incredible physical prowess Lesnar truly possessed, reaffirming him as one of the WWE’s most formidable competitors of all time.

Drew McIntyre Wins
Lesnar’s elimination at the hands of Drew McIntyre, ultimately after a Claymore Kick, was one of the most physicality-based moments of the match. His win, after eliminating Roman Reigns, set up a lot of what would come to mean that he was reaching the top of WWE and had eventually fought and beaten Lesnar at WrestleMania 36—an absolutely grand moment in his career.

Conclusion
From stunning returns and surprising winners to record-breaking performances and emotional triumphs, here have been some of the countless memorable moments that the Royal Rumble match has supplied WWE fans over the years. The enduring format—now complemented with the event meaning more in terms of punching a ticket to Wrestlemania for the winner—guarantees this fan-favored draw will never truly go out of style: a special brew of drama, excitement, and pure unpredictability that few events can truly equal. As WWE plows further ahead and more stars emerge on the horizon, so does the necessity of a Royal Rumble as a defining platform that showcases talent and possible moments in the making. Whether it’s the emergence of a new superhero, the return of a much-anticipated legend, or the payoff of a year-long angle, the Royal Rumble always manages to electrify the WWE Universe ㅡ confirming its status as one of the most distinguished events in the history of professional wrestling.