[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/royalrumblewwelogo_2017.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350: 3, 2, 1! *buzzer*]]
->''"Who will be the One?"''
''Royal Rumble'' is Wrestling/{{WWE}}'s annual January pay-per-view event; it started as a television special for the Creator/USANetwork in 1988 as a way to screw with the buyrate of the [=NWA's=] second PPV ''Bunkhouse Stampede'', and [[LongRunner has been a PPV since 1989]].
The show is built around the titular Royal Rumble match, the brainchild of wrestling legend Wrestling/PatPatterson, a [[GimmickMatches massive 30-person battle royal]] featuring competitors from WWE's full roster that usually serves as the show's main event (due to the match's length and its importance to the build towards ''Wrestling/WrestleMania'').
Put simply, the Royal Rumble is ''the'' Gimmick Match.
So, in the immortal words of Wrestling/HowardFinkel...
!!''"Here are the rules!"''
* Prior to the match, each wrestler draws a number from a lottery that determines when he or she enters the Rumble, or in some cases, spots are assigned by other means, the most common being winning a match to secure a desirable position. The competitors who draw or are assigned the #1 and #2 slots start the match in the ring.
* Once the match has begun, the next wrestler in the match will enter the ring after a specified time period has passed. Traditionally 90 seconds, though two minutes hasn't been unheard of, and it was as low as ''one'' minute in 1995. This continues until all participants have entered the Rumble.
* There are no pinfalls, no submissions, no countouts, and no disqualifications.[[note]]The only grounds for disqualification is entering the match before your number is called.[[/note]]
* Eliminations occur after a wrestler is thrown '''over''' the top rope, with '''both''' feet touching the floor.
** A wrestler who exits or is removed from the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the contest. An injured wrestler removed from the match can also return to the ring as long as the match is still ongoing (such as Wrestling/RomanReigns in 2016), but not if the match has already ended (such as Wrestling/CurtisAxel in 2015).
** Furthermore, a wrestler who only touches the floor with ''one'' foot is not eliminated from the match, a rule which greatly affected the 1995 match, allowing Wrestling/ShawnMichaels to re-enter the ring and win the match. Also, touching the floor with anything other than your feet or your feet touching anything other than the floor means you are not eliminated as long as you can keep your feet off the floor.
** Eliminations caused by other means are ruled legitimate, including self-eliminations (such as Mil Mascaras diving out of the ring in 1997), elimination by previously-eliminated participants (such as Wrestling/TheUndertaker eliminating Maven in 2002), or non-participants (such as Wrestling/TheMiz eliminating Wrestling/JohnCena in 2011).
* The last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated is declared the winner.
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Until 1992, there was no official "prize" for winning the Royal Rumble match, although the feat itself was considered a big honor, and it was implied that there was a large cash prize for the taking. In 1992, the winner of the Royal Rumble match - Wrestling/RicFlair - was given the vacated WWE Championship; the following year, the match became an important part of the "Road to ''[=WrestleMania=]''" - 1993 was the first year the winner of the match was granted a guaranteed shot at the WWE Championship at ''[=WrestleMania=]''. From 2005[[note]]The year after Wrestling/ChrisBenoit [[LoopholeAbuse exploited a loophole]] in the Royal Rumble winner's contract and jumped brands from ''[[Wrestling/WWESmackDown SmackDown]]'' to ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw Raw]]'' to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.[[/note]] to 2013, the Royal Rumble match winner had the choice of using his guaranteed title shot to go after either the WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship.[[note]]The Wrestling/{{ECW}} Championship was also an option from 2007 to 2010, if only for the sake of inclusion.[[/note]] This ended in 2014 when WWE unified the two titles into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, leaving the winner with one title to go after. In 2016, then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Wrestling/RomanReigns defended his title as a participant in the titular match. Starting in 2017, after the second Brand Split, the winner now has a choice between the Universal and WWE Championships. As of 2020, the [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]] Championship is also a viable option for the winner.
When the Women's Royal Rumble started in 2018, the winner was guaranteed a Wrestlemania title match against her choice of either the Raw or Smackdown Women's Champions. The Women's Champions themselves were excluded from the event, although they usually sit at ringside for the Rumble winner to pick which title she'll challenge for.
The first Royal Rumble match, held in 1988, had only twenty participants. From 1989 onwards, the match featured thirty participants,[[note]]In 1998, the match had only 28 wrestlers involved. Wrestling/MickFoley entered the Royal Rumble match three times that year; see "Loads and Loads of Roles" below. The Miz was able to enter the 2015 Rumble twice (replacing his "stunt double" Damian Sandow after he had already been eliminated), giving that year only 29 competitors. On a couple of occasions wrestlers have no-showed and were not replaced, Wrestling/RandySavage missed his spot in the 1991 Rumble after [[Main/ScrewThisImOuttaHere getting the hell out of the building]] shortly after costing the Wrestling/UltimateWarrior the world title, Skull (one of the Harris twins) got jumped backstage during the 1998 Rumble and never made it to the ring.[[/note]] with the exception of 2011, when WWE expanded the match roster to forty participants (mostly to include every member of [[Wrestling/TheNexus the New Nexus and the Corre]], as the two groups left WWE with an unusually bloated roster size). 2018 had both the first Women's Royal Rumble match in January and a 50-man ''Greatest Royal Rumble'' in April.
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[[folder:List of Men's Royal Rumble winners]]
'''1988'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/HacksawJimDuggan
* '''Entry No.''': 14
* '''Time''': 14:44
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/TheOneManGang
* '''Notable Events''':
** The only 20-Man Rumble and the only event to air on cable rather than PPV.[[note]]Or rather, the only one to air ''live'' on cable; the 2015 match would be shown on ''Wrestling/MondayNightRaw'' the night after the show its entirety (save for a few minutes cut out for commercial breaks) to fill time after ''Raw'' was unable to do their usual show thanks to a massive snowstorm. The three-way world title match from the same show that saw Wrestling/BrockLesnar retain against Wrestling/SethRollins and Wrestling/JohnCena was also replayed.[[/note]]
** Wrestling/BretHart was the first ever entrant in a Royal Rumble match, and held a record for longevity time lasting 25:42.
** Butch Reed was the first ever elimination in a Royal Rumble match.
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'''1989'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BigJohnStudd
* '''Entry No.''': 27
* '''Time''': 12:21
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/TedDiBiase
* '''Notable Events''':
** The first 30-Man Rumble (which would become the standard) and the first to be presented on PPV.
** The beginning of "Lucky Number 27", which would produce more winners (four) than any other number, until ''both'' No. 28 and No. 30 would catch up in 2022, and then #30 would surpass it with five winners as of 2023.
** [[Wrestling/CurtHennig Mr. Perfect]] broke Wrestling/BretHart's record for longevity time by lasting 27:58.
** [[Wrestling/ThePowersOfPain The Warlord]] set the record for shortest time in Royal Rumble with 2 seconds, when he was eliminated by Wrestling/HulkHogan.
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'''1990'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/HulkHogan
* '''Entry No.''': 25
* '''Time''': 12:49
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/CurtHennig Mr. Perfect]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Wrestling/TedDiBiase set a new longevity record by lasting 44:47.
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'''1991'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/HulkHogan
* '''Entry No.''': 24
* '''Time''': 21:00
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/JohnTenta Earthquake]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Hulk Hogan became the first man to win the Royal Rumble twice, and the first person to win it back-to-back.
** Wrestling/RickMartel set a new longevity record with a time of 52:17.
** This Rumble only has 29 competitors, as Wrestling/RandySavage no-showed the match after costing Wrestling/UltimateWarrior the WWF Championship earlier in the night.
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'''1992'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RicFlair
* '''Entry No.''': 3
* '''Time''': 1:00:02
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/SidEudy Sid Justice]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** The match was for the WWF Championship, which had been vacated after two controversial finishes in matches between Wrestling/HulkHogan and Wrestling/TheUndertaker.
** Flair set a new longevity record with a time of 1:00:02.
** Widely considered the best Rumble match by wrestling critics and longtime fans thanks to smart booking and the ridiculous amount of star power. It also features one of the greatest performances of heel wrestling announcing ever from Wrestling/BobbyHeenan (where he's unabashedly cheering on Flair so hard that he starts losing his voice two-thirds of the way into the match), to the point that WWE included this match in its entirety on Heenan's DVD.
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'''1993'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}}
* '''Entry No.''': 27
* '''Time''': 14:53
* '''Runner-Up''': "Macho Man" Wrestling/RandySavage[[note]]Hilariously eliminated when he tried to ''pin'' Yokozuna, who kicked out with such force that he sent Savage over the top rope and out[[/note]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** The first Rumble with the stipulation that the winner gets a world title match in the main event of [=WrestleMania=].
** Yokozuna became the second Rumble winner to win as the 27th entrant.
** Wrestling/BobBacklund sets a new longevity record at 1:01:10.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] IX Result''': Yokozuna defeated Wrestling/BretHart to win the WWF Championship, but would lose it minutes later to Wrestling/HulkHogan.
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'''1994'''
* '''Winners''': Wrestling/LexLuger[=/=]Wrestling/BretHart
* '''Entry No.''': 23/27
* '''Time''': 21:58/15:08
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/ShawnMichaels
* '''Notable Events''':
** Both wrestlers crashed to the floor simultaneously which ended the match, as a result, both men were declared co-winners.
** Bret Hart became the third person to (co-)win the Rumble as the 27th entrant.
** This Rumble only had 29 Competitors. [[Wrestling/MikeShaw Bastion Booger]] was drawn 25th, but no-showed due to suffering food poisoning before the match. In actuality, it was attempt to fake out the audience that the injured Bret Hart had been withdrawn from the match.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] X Result''': The concept of the Triple Threat Match didn't exist yet[[note]]At least in WWE, anyway; subsequent research has discovered that triple threat matches date back to at least the late 1960s, though neither Wrestling/PaulHeyman or Wrestling/JimCornette knew that when they booked triple threat matches in Wrestling/{{ECW}} and Wrestling/{{SMW}} respectively a few months after the 1994 Rumble and (re)introduced the concept to the wider wrestling world. To this day Cornette and Heyman are unsure of which one of them stole the idea from the other, but both of them regret doing it because it's since been mostly used as a booking crutch to get titles off people without them actually losing[[/note]], as a result, a compromise was reached: Lex Luger would face Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} for the WWF Championship in the middle of [=WrestleMania=] and the winner of that match would face Bret Hart in the main event (in the interest of fairness, Bret would also wrestle his brother Wrestling/{{Owen|Hart}} in the opening match of the night). Luger lost to Yokozuna by disqualification after shoving Special Guest Referee [[Wrestling/CurtHennig Mr. Perfect]], but Bret would defeat Yokozuna in the main event to win the WWF Championship.
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'''1995'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/ShawnMichaels
* '''Entry No.''': 1
* '''Time''': 38:41
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/DaveyBoySmith British Bulldog]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Shawn Michaels became the first wrestler to win the Rumble from the No. 1 spot, in the process cementing the rule that '''both''' feet must touch the floor to be eliminated. Michaels also became the first previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** Shawn Michaels and British Bulldog "went the distance" in the Rumble, being the first two entrants and the last two wrestlers in the match.
** Shortest Rumble in history at only 38 Minutes and 41 Seconds. This was mostly due to the time between entrances being 60 seconds as opposed to the usual 90.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XI Result''': Michaels lost to WWF World Heavyweight Champion [[Wrestling/KevinNash Diesel]].
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'''1996'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/ShawnMichaels
* '''Entry No.''': 18
* '''Time''': 26:09
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/KevinNash Diesel]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Michaels became the second man to win the Royal Rumble twice, as well as the second person to win it back-to-back.
** Wrestling/BigVanVader's WWF debut and [[Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin The Ringmaster's]] debut on WWF PPV.
** Somewhat notorious for having a pretty thin field, with Wrestling/DoryFunkJr, Doug Gilbert, Takao Omori, and The Headhunters brought in to get the numbers up. If you've never heard of any of those people (except the first one), well, neither had anyone watching the show[[note]]The WWF had originally planned to use talent from Wrestling/SmokyMountainWrestling to fill out the match, but SMW unfortunately folded about six weeks before the show[[/note]].
** First Rumble to use entrance music for all 30 competitors rather than only the first two.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XII Result''': Michaels went on to defeat Wrestling/BretHart in an Iron Man match to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
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'''1997'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin
* '''Entry No.''': 5
* '''Time''': 45:07
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/BretHart
* '''Notable Events''':
** Austin was eliminated by Bret Hart, but snuck back in the ring while officials were distracted by a brawl between Wrestling/TerryFunk and [[Wrestling/MickFoley Mankind]] on the other side of the ring. As Hart was celebrating, thinking he had won, Austin came in from behind and tossed him over the top rope. Since Austin was still considered to be in the match and was the only man left in the ring, the officials declared him the winner.
** Bret Hart became the first previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** Most self eliminations in a Rumble: Wrestling/AhmedJohnson leaves the ring to attack [[Wrestling/RonSimmons Faarooq]], Mil Mascaras eliminates himself to attack other luchadors, and Faarooq is chased away by Johnson after he reappears with a 2x4.
** As part of a cross-promotional deal, four luchadors from Wrestling/{{AAA}} take part in the Rumble: Mil Mascaras, Pierroth, Latin Lover, and Cibernético. The same cross-promotional deal also gave us a ''trios'' match with Canek, Héctor Garza and Perro Aguayo defeating Fuerza Guerrera, Heavy Metal and Jerry Estrada earlier on the card; a minis match with Mascarita Sagrada Jr. and La Parkita beating Mini Mankind and Mini Vader on the pre-show; and two more dark lucha matches before the show went to air. In total, 22 AAA luchadors appeared on the card.
** Technical problems result in the clock not displaying until a sixth of the way through the match.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 13 Result''': Due to Austin re-entering the Rumble match because the officials did not see when he was thrown out of the ring, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon ruled that he would not be receiving a WWF Championship match at [=WrestleMania=] 13. Instead, a Fatal Four Way match between Hart, Austin, Wrestling/TheUndertaker, and Vader (the final four of that year's Rumble) would be held at February's ''In Your House'' event to determine who would receive it, but because champion Wrestling/ShawnMichaels forfeited the title, plans were changed for the match to be for the title itself, Bret Hart won the match to become the new champion but lost the title to [[Wrestling/SidEudy Sycho Sid]] the following night on Raw due to interference from Austin. Due to being the runner-up to the title in the Fatal Four Way, Undertaker was made the number one contender and was booked to challenge Sycho Sid for the title at [=WrestleMania=]. However, on the March 17 edition of Raw Is War, Sid defended the title against Hart in a steel cage match, with the winner defending his title at [=WrestleMania=]. During the match, both Undertaker and Austin interfered. Undertaker came out to help Sid because he wanted to wrestle Sid for the title while Austin helped Hart because he wanted to make his scheduled submission match with Hart a title match. Sid won the match and retained his title and as a result, Sid vs. Undertaker remained the main event of [=WrestleMania=]. At [=WrestleMania=] 13, Undertaker on to went to defeat Sid (with some inadvertent help from a [[FaceHeelTurn newly-Heel]] Bret Hart) win the title in [=WrestleMania=]'s main event.
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'''1998'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin
* '''Entry No.''': 24
* '''Time''': 15:58
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Austin becomes the third man to win two Royal Rumbles, and the third person to win it back-to-back.
** This Rumble only had 27 Competitors. Wrestling/MickFoley entered the match three times under his Mankind, Dude Love and Cactus Jack personas, and Skull no-showed due to being attacked by Los Boricuas after having been mistaken for Austin.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XIV Result''': Austin defeated Wrestling/ShawnMichaels to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
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'''1999'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/VinceMcMahon
* '''Entry No.''': 2
* '''Time''': 56:38
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin
* '''Notable Events''':
** [=McMahon=] became the first person to win the Rumble as the second entrant.
** Austin became the second previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** The second time the final two contestants were the first two entrants.
** This was the first Rumble to feature a [[{{Wrestling/Chyna}} female participant.]]
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XV Result''': The following night on Raw, Mr. [=McMahon=] renounced his title opportunity to challenge WWF Champion [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] at [=WrestleMania=]. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels awarded the title opportunity to the runner-up, Stone Cold Steve Austin, who defeated Mr. [=McMahon=] in a steel cage match to retain his opportunity (thanks in large part to the cage wall breaking open due to the debuting Wrestling/BigShow). Austin went on to defeat The Rock in a No Disqualification match to win the WWF Championship.
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'''2000'''
* '''Winner''': [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]]
* '''Entry No.''': 24
* '''Time''': 14:47
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/BigShow
* '''Notable Events''':
** The Rock became the third person to win the Rumble as the 24th entrant. He also became the second previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** At the end of the match, both Rock and Show went over the top rope, but before the Big Show's feet touched the ground, the Rock's feet were already on the floor. This was ignored and the Rock was declared the winner.
** With this win, The Rock becomes the first Rumble winner to be related to a previous winner. In this case, 1993 winner Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} who was Rock's cousin.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 2000 Result''': Video footage later showed Rock's feet hit the floor first before runner-up Big Show. After multiple attempts to name a rightful number one contender failed, both The Rock and Big Show were added to the main event along with Wrestling/MickFoley to make it a four-way match for the WWF Championship. At [=WrestleMania=], Wrestling/TripleH defeated Rock, Foley, and Show in a fatal four-way elimination match to retain the WWF Championship.
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'''2001'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin
* '''Entry No.''': 27
* '''Time''': 09:38
* '''Runner-Up''': {{Wrestling/Kane}}
* '''Notable Events''':
** Austin becomes the first, and to date only, man to win three Royal Rumbles. He also sets the record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins at 3 years
** Kane set the new elimination record, with 11 eliminations.
** Creator/DrewCarey becomes the first celebrity entrant in the Royal Rumble.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] X-Seven Result''': Austin defeated [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] in a No Disqualification match to win the WWF Championship, with a little help from Wrestling/VinceMcMahon.
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'''2002'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/TripleH
* '''Entry No.''': 22
* '''Time''': 23:14
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/KurtAngle
* '''Notable Events''':
** Undertaker assaulted and eliminated Maven following his own elimination by Maven.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] X8 Result''': Triple H lost his [=WrestleMania=] title shot to Kurt Angle at ''[[Wrestling/NoWayOutWWE No Way Out]]''. The following night on Raw, Triple H was given a rematch by WWF co-owner Wrestling/RicFlair and defeated Angle to win his title shot back. Triple H went on to defeat Wrestling/ChrisJericho for the Undisputed WWF Championship at [=WrestleMania=].
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'''2003'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BrockLesnar
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown!=]
* '''Entry No.''': 29
* '''Time''': 9:00
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/TheUndertaker
* '''Notable Events''':
** The first instance where the last two entrants were also the finalists.
** First post-Draft Rumble, featuring 15 Wrestlers from Raw and 15 from [=SmackDown=].
** First Rumble where the winner was able to challenge from the [[MediaNotes/BigGoldBelt World Heavyweight Championship]].
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XIX Result''': As a member of the [=SmackDown=] brand, Lesnar earned a match for his brand's WWE Championship. At [=WrestleMania=], Lesnar defeated Wrestling/KurtAngle to win the championship.
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'''2004'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/ChrisBenoit
* '''Entry No.''': 1
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown!=]
* '''Time''': 1:01:35
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/BigShow
* '''Notable Events''':
** This Rumble had 29 Competitors, Wrestling/SpikeDudley was drawn 13th, but was attacked on the ramp by Wrestling/{{Kane}}.
** Benoit sets a new longevity record at 1:01:35. He also became the second Rumble winner to win as the first entrant.
** Big Show becomes the first man to finish as runner-up twice.
** [[PaterFamilicide Due to the Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide]], this Rumble is [[BroadStrokes mostly ignored]] by WWE.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XX Result''': Benoit won the Rumble as a [=SmackDown=]! wrestler, but switched to the Raw brand to challenge Wrestling/TripleH for the World Heavyweight Championship. Wrestling/ShawnMichaels, who was feuding with Triple H, found it unfair that Benoit had left his own brand and inserted himself into their feud and added himself to the match. Benoit went on to defeat Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a triple threat match to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
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'''2005'''
* '''Winner''': {{Wrestling/Batista}}
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 28
* '''Time''': 10:54
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/JohnCena
* '''Notable Events''':
** Only 29 Competitors, Scotty 2 Hotty was drawn 15th, but was attacked on the ramp by Wrestling/MuhammadHassan (who had just been eliminated by ''everyone in the ring at the time'').
** Before the match, Kurt Angle stole Nunzio's entrance number and replaced him in the match
** Batista and Cena both went over the top rope and hit the floor at the same time (and unlike 1994, this was a legitimate botch). Wrestling/VinceMcMahon came to the ring (in the process legitimately tearing both his quadriceps muscles when his knees were caught on the apron) and ordered the match to be restarted with the final two participants. Batista eliminated Cena following a spinebuster to win the match.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 21 Result''': Batista, a Raw wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship and defeated Wrestling/TripleH for the title at [=WrestleMania=]. Cena himself also won the WWE Championship at the same event by defeating [[Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield JBL]].
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'''2006'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/{{Rey Mysterio|Jr}}
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown!=]
* '''Entry No.''': 2
* '''Time''': 1:02:12
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RandyOrton
* '''Notable Events''':
** Rey Mysterio broke the longevity record, lasting 1:02:12. He also became the second person to win as the number two entrant.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 22 Result''': Mysterio, a [=SmackDown=]! wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship, but lost his title shot to Randy Orton at ''Wrestling/{{No Way Out|WWE}}''. On the following episode of [=SmackDown=]!, General Manager [[Wrestling/TeddyLong Theodore Long]] added Mysterio to the World Heavyweight Championship match at [=WrestleMania=], making it a triple threat match. at [=WrestleMania=], Mysterio defeated champion Wrestling/KurtAngle and Orton in a triple threat match to win the championship.
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'''2007'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/TheUndertaker
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown!=]
* '''Entry No.''': 30
* '''Time''': 13:35
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/ShawnMichaels
* '''Notable Events''':
** The Undertaker was the first wrestler to win the Royal Rumble match from the number 30 spot. He also became the third previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** Michaels became the second person in Rumble history to finish as runner-up twice. He also became the third previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** With the introduction of the third Wrestling/{{ECW}} Brand in 2006, this is the first year the ECW brand was allowed to participate, as a result the ECW Championship was added as an option for the Royal Rumble winner.
** Glenn Jacobs (Wrestling/{{Kane}}) made his eleventh appearance in a Royal Rumble match, breaking his own and Solofa Fatu (Wrestling/{{Rikishi}})'s record for most Royal Rumble appearances. It was also his ninth-consecutive appearance, also billed as a record for Kane.
** Nelson Frazier, Jr. (Viscera) was eliminated by 9 wrestlers, setting a record for the highest number of wrestlers involved in a single elimination. The record stood until 2023 when Wrestling/NiaJax was eliminated by 11 wrestlers in the women's Rumble, although it is still the record for the men's Rumble.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 23 Result''': The Undertaker, a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship and defeated Wrestling/{{Batista}} to win the title.
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'''2008'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/JohnCena
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 30
* '''Time''': 08:28
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/TripleH
* '''Notable Events''':
** Cena wasn't expected to return until after [=WrestleMania=] due to an injury (a torn pectoral muscle) that required surgery. With his win, he became the second Rumble winner in as many years to win as the last entrant and the fourth previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** Triple H (who entered at #29) became the fourth previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** Finlay became the first Royal Rumble entrant to be disqualified, for using a weapon and "jumping the gun" by failing to wait for his entry number to be called. A confrontation between Wrestling/{{Hornswoggle}} (#9) against super-heavyweights Wrestling/MarkHenry and Big Daddy V is when Finlay made his move, prioritizing Hornswoggle's well-being over his own Rumble aspirations.
** [[Wrestling/WWEHallOfFame Hall of Famers]] Wrestling/JimmySnuka and Wrestling/RoddyPiper were both surprise entrants during the match. They entered consecutively, Snuka at 18 and Piper at 19.
** Because the Rumble was happening at Madison Square Garden, WWE was able to get ''Creator/MichaelBuffer'' as a special guest ring announcer for the Rumble match itself. Buffer even used his legendary catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble!"
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XXIV Result''': Instead of waiting until [=WrestleMania=], Cena used his championship shot at {{Wrestling/No Way Out|WWE}} to challenge Wrestling/RandyOrton for Raw's WWE Championship. Cena won the match by disqualification, but Orton remained champion. Wrestling/TripleH then became Orton's opponent at [=WrestleMania=] by winning an Wrestling/EliminationChamber match, while Cena earned another opportunity and was added, making it a triple threat match. At [=WrestleMania=], however, Orton defeated Cena and Triple H to retain the title.
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'''2009'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RandyOrton
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 8
* '''Time''': 48:30
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/TripleH
* '''Notable Events''':
** Orton became the fifth previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** Wrestling/SantinoMarella entered at No. 28 and was eliminated by Kane in one second. Breaking the Warlord's record for shortest elimination in the Royal Rumble.
** Triple H (who entered at #7) becomes the first person to finish as runner-up consecutively (both times to the entry immediately following him) and the third person overall to finish in this position twice.
** First time the last two in the Rumble went on to face each other at [=WrestleMania=].
** With this win, all members of Wrestling/{{Evolution}} have won the Rumble, becoming the only PowerStable in WWE history to do so.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 25 Result''': Orton won the Rumble as a Raw wrestler, but challenged [=SmackDown=]'s Triple H for the WWE Championship. At [=WrestleMania=] XXV, Orton lost to Triple H.
----
'''2010'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 29
* '''Time''': 7:37
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/JohnCena
* '''Notable Events''':
** By spending only 7 minutes and 37 seconds in the ring, Edge set a then-record for shortest amount of time a competitor in Royal Rumble spent in the match before winning. He also became the second person to win the titular match as the penultimate entrant. Like John, Edge was a surprise entry returning from injury.
** John Cena became the fourth person in Rumble history to finish as runner-up twice, and the fifth previous Rumble winner to finish in this spot.
** Last Rumble where the ECW Championship was an option for the winner before the title and the brand were retired only two weeks later.
** Wrestling/BethPhoenix became the second female wrestler to participate in a Royal Rumble, after Chyna in 1999.
** Edge was making his return following a six-month hiatus due to injury.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XXVI Result''': Edge, a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship, but lost to Wrestling/ChrisJericho at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2011'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 38
* '''Time''': 09:33
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/SantinoMarella
* '''Notable Events''':
** The only 40-man Rumble.
** The last Royal Rumble of the original brand extension era, which ended in August 2011. Following its disillusion, all on-screen personnel were no longer tied to Raw or Smackdown and now could appear on both shows.
** Booker T was a surprise entrant at #21, returning to WWE after 3 years.
** Alex Riley was mistakenly eliminated early by Kofi Kingston and John Cena. Riley was supposed to help eliminate Cena later in the match, but The Miz would do it by himself instead, with a distraction from Riley. After Alex Riley was eliminated, WWE Champion The Miz, who joined commentary during Riley's performance, interfered in the match and eliminated Cena.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XXVII Result''': Del Rio, a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's World Heavyweight Championship, but lost to Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}} at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2012'''
* '''Winner''': {{Wrestling/Sheamus}}
* '''Entry No.''': 22
* '''Time''': 22:22
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/ChrisJericho
* '''Notable Events''':
** Sheamus became the second person to win the Rumble as the 22nd entrant.
** The entire commentary team (Wrestling/JerryLawler. Wrestling/BookerT, and Wrestling/MichaelCole) competed in the match; Lawler (number 12) and Booker (number 17), both eliminated by the time of Cole's entry (at number 20), would eliminate Cole as he tried escaping from female wrestler [[Wrestling/KiaStevens Kharma]] (number 21).
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XXVIII Result''': Sheamus chose to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship and defeated champion [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] at [=WrestleMania=] in a negatively-received 18-second squash match.
----
'''2013'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/JohnCena
* '''Entry No.''': 19
* '''Time''': 26:39
* '''Runner-Up''': {{Wrestling/Ryback}}
* '''Notable Events''':
** The first year NXT was allowed to compete with inclusion of Wrestling/BoDallas.
** Cena successfully defended his title shot against Wrestling/CMPunk on the February 25 episode of Raw.
** Cena became the fourth man to win two Rumbles. He also becomes to the first man to accomplish this ''without'' winning two Rumbles back-to-back.
** Cena sets the record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins at the time at 5 years, breaking Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin's record of 3 years in 2001.
** Last Royal Rumble where the World Heavyweight Championship was an option for the winner before the title was retired later in the year.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 29 Result''': Cena chose to challenge for the WWE Championship, at [=WrestleMania=], Cena defeated [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] to win the WWE Championship.
----
'''2014'''
* '''Winner''': {{Wrestling/Batista}}
* '''Entry No.''': 28
* '''Time''': 14:34
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RomanReigns
* '''Notable Events''':
** Batista became the fifth man to win two Rumbles, and also became the first person to win multiple Rumbles from the same spot. He also set a record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins, at 9 years, breaking Wrestling/JohnCena's record of 5 years in the previous year.
** By eliminating 12 men, Wrestling/RomanReigns broke the record of 11, set by Wrestling/{{Kane}} in 2001.
** [[invoked]] The event is known for the [[XPacHeat overwhelmingly negative crowd response]] during the [[Wrestling/RandyOrton Orton]]-[[Wrestling/JohnCena Cena]] title match, as well as towards the end of (and after) the Royal Rumble match, when the fans booed the Rumble winner Batista, repeatedly chanted for [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] (who had competed earlier in the night and was not involved in the main event), and [[RootingForTheEmpire rooted for the man]] in second place, Roman Reigns (who was a heel at the time).
** The event also marked the final WWE appearance of Wrestling/CMPunk, who walked out on the company the next day despite still being under contract, and subsequently retired from professional wrestling later that year, until 2021 when he debuted with rival promotion Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XXX Result''': After months of feuding, Wrestling/TripleH agreed to face Daniel Bryan at [=WrestleMania=], with the stipulation that whoever won would be inserted into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between champion Randy Orton and Rumble winner Batista. Bryan defeated Triple H in the opening match and went on to defeat Orton and Batista in a triple threat match to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
----
'''2015'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RomanReigns
* '''Entry No.''': 16
* '''Time''': 27:29
* '''Runner-Up''': {{Wrestling/Rusev|AndLana}}
* '''Notable Events''':
** [[invoked]] It's ''[[XPacHeat that]]'' Rumble.
** Curtis Axel was supposed to enter at #6 but was attacked by Wrestling/ErickRowan who took his place.
** Reigns became the sixth previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match.
** With this win, Reigns became the second Rumble winner to be related to a previous winner, as 1993 winner Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} and 2000 winner [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] are Reigns' cousins. This would make the [[Wrestling/SamoanDynasty Anoa'i Family]] with the most produced winners to date with three. Retroactively, Reigns would only be the third person to do so as Triple H won the 2002 Rumble before marrying 1999 winner Wrestling/VinceMcMahon's daughter Wrestling/{{Stephanie|McMahon}} in September 2003 to become officially part of the [=McMahon=] family. Triple H would then win the following year's Rumble as an official [=McMahon=] family member.
** Reigns successfully defended his title shot against [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] at [[Wrestling/WWEFastlane Fastlane]]
** This match would be replayed on ''Monday Night Raw'' (minus commercial breaks) the next night after a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2015_North_American_blizzard blizzard]] shut down the entire northeastern U.S. and WWE was forced to cancel the scheduled live ''Raw'' from Hartford, CT and do a studio show from WWE headquarters in Stamford.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 31 Result''': Reigns went on to challenge Wrestling/BrockLesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at [=WrestleMania=]. During the match at [=WrestleMania=], Wrestling/SethRollins cashed in his Wrestling/MoneyInTheBank contract, converting the singles match between Reigns and Lesnar into a triple threat match. Rollins then pinned Reigns in the impromptu triple threat match to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
----
'''2016'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/TripleH
* '''Entry No.''': 30
* '''Time''': 09:03
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/JonMoxley Dean Ambrose]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Triple H becomes the sixth man to win 2 Rumbles, and the third person to win it as the final entrant. He also sets the record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins at the time at 14 years, breaking Wrestling/{{Batista}}'s record of 9 years in 2014.
** The last Royal Rumble event to occur before the reintroduction of the brand extension in July, again splitting the roster between the Raw and [=SmackDown=] brands.
** The event also marked the WWE debut of Wrestling/AJStyles, who entered at number 3.
** With this win, Triple H becomes the third Rumble winner to be related to a previous winner, with 1999 winner Wrestling/VinceMcMahon being his father-in-law. Retroactively, Triple H would be the second person to do so as he won the 2002 Rumble before marrying Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon in September 2003.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 32 Result''': No [=WrestleMania=] title opportunity was awarded in the 2016 Royal Rumble match as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship itself, held by Wrestling/RomanReigns, was at stake. Reigns regained the championship in a rematch at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2017'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RandyOrton
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 23
* '''Time''': 20:52
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RomanReigns
* '''Notable Events''':
** Orton became the seventh man to win 2 Rumbles. He also became the second person to win the match as the 23rd entrant.
** First year where the Universal Championship was an option for the Royal Rumble winner.
** Reigns became the fifth man to finish as runner-up twice, and the sixth previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 33 Result''': As a member of the [=SmackDown=] brand, Orton earned a match for his own brand's WWE Championship. After his fellow [[Wrestling/TheWyattFamily Wyatt Family]] member Wrestling/BrayWyatt won the championship at Wrestling/EliminationChamber, Orton relinquished his championship opportunity. On the next episode of [=SmackDown=], however, Orton reverted his decision and turned on Wyatt. The following week, Orton defeated Wrestling/AJStyles, who had become the new number one contender for the title, to re-earn his title shot. At [=WrestleMania=], Orton defeated Wyatt to win the WWE Championship.
----
'''2018'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 14
* '''Time''': 44:38
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RomanReigns
* '''Notable Events''':
** Nakamura became the second person to win the Rumble as the 14th entrant, the first being inaugural winner Wrestling/HacksawJimDuggan.
** Roman Reigns sets the record for most times as the runner-up, with his third time being the last eliminated. He also became the second person in Rumble history to finish in this position back-to-back.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 34 Result''': Nakamura, a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's WWE Championship, but lost to Wrestling/AJStyles at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''Greatest Royal Rumble'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BraunStrowman
* '''Entry No.''': 41
* '''Time''': 22:14
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/EnzoAndCass Big Cass]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** A special 50-man Royal Rumble held at the PPV of the same name in April 2018. The match was not for a title opportunity at Wrestlemania (in fact it was the first WWE PPV ''after'' Wrestlemania that year), but instead for a trophy and the Greatest Royal Rumble Championship[[labelnote:note]]A modified replica WWE Championship with a green strap[[/labelnote]]. Despite this, it is recognized as a official Royal Rumble, with Braun Strowman's elimination record and [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]]'s longevity record being recognized as the canonical records.
** Thanks to the aforementioned 50 competitors, this is longest Royal Rumble in history at 1:17:20.
** Braun Strowman sets the record for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble, with 13.
** Daniel Bryan sets a longevity record with 1:16:05.
----
'''2019'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/SethRollins
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 10
* '''Time''': 43:00
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/BraunStrowman
* '''Notable Events''':
** Strowman became the seventh previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** First time NXT UK is represented in the Royal Rumble with the inclusion of Pete Dunne.
** By competing in his first Royal Rumble since 1999, Wrestling/JeffJarrett sets a record of the longest duration between Royal Rumble appearances, at 20 years.
** Wrestling/NiaJax attacked the #30 entrant, [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth]], and took his spot, becoming the fourth woman to compete in a Men's Rumble and the first person to compete in both the Men's and Women's Rumble in the same year.
** Retroactively, Rollins would be the fourth Rumble winner to be related to a previous winner, as he and earlier women's Rumble winner Wrestling/BeckyLynch would marry in July 2021 and have a daughter beforehand in December 2020.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 35 Result''': Rollins, a Raw wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's Universal Championship and defeated champion Wrestling/BrockLesnar at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2020'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 16
* '''Time''': 34:11
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RomanReigns
* '''Notable Events''':
** [=McIntyre=] became the second person to win the Rumble as the 16th entrant, which was ironically done by his runner-up Roman Reigns.
** Wrestling/BrockLesnar becomes the second man to enter the Royal Rumble despite already being WWE Champion. Unlike the previous time it occurs in 2016, there were no official changes to the rules of the match, despite Lesnar holding one of the two world championships that the winner could challenge for, but it was heavily implied that if he won, Lesnar would not have to defend his Championship at [=WrestleMania=].
** Brock Lesnar eliminated 13 men, setting the record for most eliminations in a traditional Rumble and tying the official record with Wrestling/BraunStrowman. Brock entered at 1 (of his own volition, unlike Reigns in 2016 thanks to a rigged draw) and scored his eliminations consecutively before [=McIntyre=] eliminated him with an assist from Ricochet.
** Roman Reigns breaks his own record for most times as a runner-up, earning it for the fourth time.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 36 Result''': [=McIntyre=], a Raw wrestler, chose to challenge for his own brand's WWE Championship and defeated champion Brock Lesnar at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2021'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}
* '''Brand''': Free Agent
* '''Entry No.''': 1
* '''Time''': 58:30
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RandyOrton
* '''Notable Events''':
** Edge becomes the third man to be victorious after entering at number 1.
** Edge becomes the eighth man to win 2 Rumbles.
** Edge becomes the first Rumble winner to win the titular match as part of both the first two and last two entrants (his first win was in 2010 in which he was the 29th entrant)
** Edge is the first person to win the Royal Rumble after being inducted to the Wrestling/WWEHallOfFame.
** With his last win being 11 years prior, Edge came short of tying Wrestling/TripleH's record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins at 12 years, which the latter set in 2016.
** Randy Orton became the eight previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up, and the sixth person to finish in this position twice.
** Third instance in which the first two entrants were the finalists.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 37 Result''': Edge chose to challenge Wrestling/RomanReigns for Smackdown's Universal Championship, with the match to be held at [=WrestleMania=] 37. Following the controversial end of a Universal title defense against [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] at ''Wrestling/WWEFastlane'', Bryan was added to the title match on the March 27 [=SmackDown=], making it a Triple Threat Match. At ''[=WrestleMania=]'', Reigns retained the title over Edge and Bryan. This made for the first time a multi-time winner of the Royal Rumble failed to win their title opportunity and the first time a two-time winner lost both of their championship challenges at [=WrestleMania=].
----
'''2022'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BrockLesnar
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 30
* '''Time''': 2:32
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre
* '''Notable Events''':
** Lesnar becomes the ninth man to win 2 rumbles. He also sets the record for longest amount of time between Rumble wins at 19 years, breaking Wrestling/TripleH's record of 12 years in 2016.
** Lesnar becomes the fourth man to win the Royal Rumble from #30, officially tying the record with #27 for the number with the most winners in the men's Royal Rumble match, and also overall number with the most winners with #27 ''and'' #28, which was the position Wrestling/RondaRousey won the women's Rumble from earlier in the night.
** By spending only 2 minutes and 32 seconds in the ring, Lesnar breaks Edge's record for shortest amount of time a competitor in Royal Rumble spent in the match before winning by a whole 5 minutes.
** Drew [=McIntyre=] became the tenth previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up.
** Creator/JohnnyKnoxville and Music/BadBunny competed as celebrity guest entrants. Bunny, entering at 27, successfully replicated his Canadian Destroyer from his prior [=WrestleMania=] appearance at Matt Riddle's expense.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 38 Result''': The night after the Royal Rumble, Lesnar selected Universal Champion Wrestling/RomanReigns as his opponent at ''[=WrestleMania=]''. He would then win the WWE Championship at Wrestling/EliminationChamber, turning their upcoming ''[=WrestleMania=]'' match into a Champion VS Champion match. At ''[=WrestleMania=]'', Reigns defeated Lesnar to win both titles.
----
'''2023'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/CodyRhodes
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 30
* '''Time''': 15:08
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/{{Walter}} Gunther]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Cody becomes the fifth man to win the Royal Rumble from #30, officially surpassing #27 for the number with the most winners in the Royal Rumble match.
** This was Cody's return after tearing his pectoral muscle 8 months earlier.
** Gunther sets a new longevity record in a traditional Royal Rumble match with 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 25 seconds in the Rumble.
** For the first time; the final two in the Rumble were the first (Gunther) and last (Rhodes) entrants.
** There were only 29 entrants in this Rumble. Wrestling/{{Rey Mysterio|Jr}} drew #17 but never arrived to the ring, it was revealed moments later that his son Dominik (who drew #18) attacked him and stole his mask.
** Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}} was eliminated by [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Balor]] and Damian Priest (Dominik's Judgment Day teammates, the faction itself originally formed by Edge) who he had eliminated moments earlier.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 39 Result''': Rhodes automatically challenged Wrestling/RomanReigns as the latter was holding both World Titles. At [=WrestleMania=], Reigns would retain.
----
'''2024'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/CodyRhodes
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 15
* '''Time''': 45:01
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/CMPunk
* '''Notable Events''':
** Wrestling/{{Andrade|CienAlmas}}'s entrance (at number 4) marked his return to WWE three years after leaving for Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling.
** Punk (entering at number 27) made his first Royal Rumble appearance since the 2014 Rumble, which was itself his final WWE appearance before walking out on the company until his return in late 2023.
** Cody's victory made him the tenth wrestler to win multiple Royal Rumbles, the fourth overall to win back-to-back Rumbles, and the first to do so in 26 years (the last instance of this was Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin in the 1997-1998 Rumbles).
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XL Result''': Rhodes challenged Wrestling/RomanReigns to a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. After losing to [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] and Reigns with [[Wrestling/SethRollins Seth "Freakin" Rollins]] on Night One of [=WrestleMania=], the title match became contested under Bloodline Rules. On Night Two, Rhodes finally gained payback from his loss the previous year with a little help from multiple wrestlers holding the line against The Bloodline by defeating Reigns to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
----
[[/folder]]
[[folder:List of Women's Royal Rumble winners]]
'''2018'''
* '''Winner''': [[Wrestling/KanakoUrai Asuka]]
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 25
* '''Time''': 19:41
* '''Runner-Up''': [[Wrestling/BellaTwins Nikki Bella]]
* '''Notable Events''':
** Asuka became the second person to win the Rumble as the 25th entrant.
** Wrestling/MichelleMcCool held the record for most eliminations in a single Women's rumble, and most eliminations overall with five.
** Wrestling/SashaBanks was the first ever entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble match, and held a record for longevity time lasting 54:46.
** Wrestling/MandyRose was the first ever elimination in a Women's Royal Rumble match.
** Wrestling/RondaRousey was rumored to be a surprise entrant in the women's match, and although she denied that she would be at the event, she appeared after the match's conclusion, confirming she had signed full-time with WWE
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 34 Result''': Asuka won the Rumble as a Raw wrestler, but challenged Wrestling/CharlotteFlair for the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship. At [=WrestleMania=], Asuka lost to Flair.
----
'''2019'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BeckyLynch
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 28
* '''Time''': 13:20
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/CharlotteFlair
* '''Notable Events''':
** Lynch became the third 28th entrant in Rumble history to win the titular match. Amusingly, she was only the second person to do it as Wrestling/{{Batista}} won with this number twice.
** [[Wrestling/RusevAndLana Lana]] came out as the #28 entrant, but a storyline ankle injury suffered on the pre-show (where she had been at ringside for Rusev, and likely sustained in part due to wearing high heels during the pre-show match) kept her from competing. Becky Lynch (who plead her case to a ringside official) was allowed to take her spot.
** Wrestling/{{Natalya|Neidheart}} broke Wrestling/SashaBanks' longevity record at 56:01.
** Wrestling/LivMorgan set the record for fastest elimination in the women's Rumble, at 8 seconds (being eliminated by the aforementioned Natalya).
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 35 Result''': Lynch won the Rumble as a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, but challenged Wrestling/RondaRousey for the Raw Women's Championship. Lynch was removed from the match and suspended after continuously attacking The [=McMahon=] Family and was replaced by the Rumble runner-up, Wrestling/CharlotteFlair. At [[Wrestling/WWEFastlane Fastlane]], Lynch was given an opportunity to be added back to the match if she could defeat Flair, which she did by disqualification and was thus added back into the match at [=WrestleMania=] to make it a triple threat match for the championship. Flair then won the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship on the March 26 episode of [=SmackDown=]. In response, Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon announced that both titles would be on the line, making the match Winner Takes All. At [=WrestleMania=], Lynch defeated Rousey and Flair to win both titles, becoming a double champion.
----
'''2020'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/CharlotteFlair
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 17
* '''Time''': 27:19
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/ShaynaBaszler
* '''Notable Events''':
** Charlotte Flair became the seventh previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match, and the first female to do so.
** With this win, Flair became the fourth (retroactively fifth) Rumble winner to be related to a previous winner, with 1992 (men's) winner Wrestling/RicFlair being her father.
** Wrestling/BiancaBelair and Shayna Baszler both break the record for most eliminations in a Women's Royal Rumble with 8 each.
** From this Rumble onwards, the winner is now allowed the select to challenge for the titles in NXT, as well as Raw and [=SmackDown=].
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 36 Result''': Flair won the Rumble as a Raw wrestler, but challenged Wrestling/RheaRipley for the NXT Women's Championship, marking the first time a Royal Rumble winner chose to challenge for an NXT title. At [=WrestleMania=], Flair defeated Ripley to win the NXT Women's Championship.
----
'''2021'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/BiancaBelair
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 3
* '''Time''': 56:49
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/RheaRipley
* '''Notable Events''':
** Bianca Belair breaks the longevity record, at 56 minutes and 49 seconds. She also became the second person in Rumble history to win the titular match as the third entrant.
** Wrestling/AliciaFox becomes the first person to win a title '''during''' a rumble match after 24-7 champion R-Truth enters the ring and gets rolled up by Fox after the pair fend off a pack of challengers that were pursuing R-Truth. Truth would win it back after Fox was eliminated.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 37 Result''': Belair decided on the February 26 episode of [=SmackDown=] that she would challenge Wrestling/SashaBanks for the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship at [=WrestleMania=]. At the event, Belair defeated Banks to win the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship. Ripley herself won the Raw Women's Championship at the same event by defeating [[Wrestling/KanakoUrai Asuka]].
----
'''2022'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RondaRousey
* '''Brand''': Free Agent
* '''Entry No.''': 28
* '''Time''': 10:16
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/CharlotteFlair
* '''Notable Events''':
** This was Rousey's first WWE appearance since 2019.
** Rousey becomes the second woman to win at number 28, and overall fourth winner from that number, which ties it with No. 27 and No. 30 (a feat set by Wrestling/BrockLesnar later in the night) for the most winners produced.
** Charlotte Flair becomes the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble despite already being Women's Champion. There were no official changes to the rules of the match, despite Flair holding one of the two Women's Championships that the winner could challenge for, though Flair declared she would choose her challenger at [=WrestleMania=] had she won the event.
** Charlotte became the ninth previous Rumble winner to finish as runner-up, and the seventh person to finish in this position twice. She is also the first woman to achieve both.
** As part of a cross-promotional deal, [[Wrestling/TotalNonstopActionWrestling Impact Wrestling]] Knockouts World Champion Wrestling/MickieJames took part in the Rumble. Mickie even entered to her Impact theme "Hardcore Country" instead of her old WWE theme.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 38 Result''': Rousey chose to challenge Charlotte Flair for the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship. At [=WrestleMania=], Rousey lost to Flair.
----
'''2023'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/RheaRipley
* '''Brand''': Raw
* '''Entry No.''': 1
* '''Time''': 1:01:03
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/LivMorgan
* '''Notable Events''':
** Rhea Ripley becomes the first woman and overall fourth person to win from the #1 position. She also became the eighth previous runner-up to eventually win the titular match, and the second female to do so.
** Fourth time the last two in the rumble were the first two entrants and the first time in the women's rumble.
** Wrestling/MichelleMcCool was in the audience with her children. When she was called at #25, she quickly entered the ring and competed.
** Wrestling/NiaJax returned to WWE at #30, accidentally entering too early as she entered as the 10 count to her entry ''began'' instead of when it ended.
** Rhea Ripley ''and'' Liv Morgan set a new longevity record in the Women's rumble at 1 hour, 1 minute, and 3 seconds.
** Chelsea Green was eliminated in 4 seconds, setting the record for shortest time in the women’s rumble history. Chelsea also set the record for shortest combined time in the women's Rumble with 16 seconds across two Rumble appearances.
** Nia Jax set the record for most amount of people needed to eliminate someone in Royal Rumble history, with 11 having to eliminate her.
* '''[=WrestleMania=] 39 Result''': Ripley won the Rumble as a Raw wrestler but chose to challenge Wrestling/CharlotteFlair for the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship. At the event, she defeated Charlotte to win the [=SmackDown=] Women's Championship, getting payback for their previous [=WrestleMania=] encounter three years previously.
----
'''2024'''
* '''Winner''': Wrestling/{{Bayley}}
* '''Brand''': [=SmackDown=]
* '''Entry No.''': 3
* '''Time''': 1:03:03
* '''Runner-Up''': Wrestling/LivMorgan
* '''Notable Events''':
** Wrestling/{{Naomi|Wrestler}} entered at the #2 spot, marking her first appearance in the company since her walk-out in 2022.
** TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace entered the rumble at number 5, marking the second time the reigning Knockouts Champion entered, the first being Wrestling/MickieJames in 2022. Jordynne had actually won the title from Naomi (who had been competing in TNA under her actual first name Trinity) not long before the Rumble.
** Wrestling/NiaJax had the most eliminations with 8, tying the record of Shayna and Bianca in 2020.
** Valhalla had the shortest time with 5 seconds, tying the record set by Chelsea Green a year before. The former Sarah Logan had drawn number 24, leading to a mix-up involving [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth]] (who had drawn that same number for the men's Rumble) which is believed to have had a major role in her very quick elimination.
** Wrestling/JadeCargill entered at the #28 spot, making her in-ring debut with WWE. She then proceeded to ''single-handedly'' eliminate Wrestling/NiaJax (who needed ''eleven'' wrestlers to eliminate her the previous year).
** Naomi broke the record for longest time in the match with 1 hour and 2 minutes, this record was then broken by Bayley with 1 hour and 3 minutes, 3 seconds.
** Liv Morgan became the first female wrestler to finish runner-up in the Women's Rumble twice in a row. Like Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}'s two victories, Liv's runner-up finishes are as one of the first two (she entered the previous year's Rumble at number 2) and one of the last two (she was entry number 30 this year).
* '''[=WrestleMania=] XL Result''': Despite initially planning on challenging Wrestling/RheaRipley, Bayley, a [=SmackDown=] wrestler, turned on Wrestling/DamageCTRL by challenging [[Wrestling/IoShirai Iyo Sky]] for the WWE Women's Champion, turning face for the first time since 2019. At the event, she defeated Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women's Championship.
[[/folder]]
----
!! Royal Rumble records, stats, and oddities[[note]]Courtesy of [[https://www.smarkoutmoment.com/p/wwe-royal-rumble-statistics-records.html this website]], current as of the 2024 show[[/note]]
* Wrestling/{{Kane}} holds the record for most appearances, with 18. Add in his entry to the 1996 Rumble as Isaac Yankeem D.D.S. and his 1997 entry as Fake Diesel and Glenn Jacobs has 20 in total. Wrestling/KofiKingston is the runner up with 16, Wrestling/DolphZiggler and Wrestling/TheMiz each have 15.
* Wrestling/LivMorgan and Wrestling/{{Natalya}} are the only wrestlers to appear in all seven women's Rumbles.
* Wrestling/ChrisJericho has the longest cumulative time in Rumble matches at 4:59:33, spread out over 11 entries. Randy Orton, Wrestling/{{Rey Mysterio|Jr}}, and Wrestling/TripleH have also spent over 4 hours in Rumble matches. Wrestling/BiancaBelair is the current women's record holder, at 3:05:25 over four matches.
* [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] holds the ironman record at 1:16:05 if you count the Greatest Royal Rumble, or [[Wrestling/{{Walter}} Gunther]] holds the record at 1:11:40 in the 2023 Rumble if you only count the ones in January. Wrestling/{{Bayley}} is the current ironwoman record holder at 1:03:03, in 2024. The record for ''shortest'' iron(wo)man time belongs to John Cena in 2010, as his time of only 22:11 weirdly gave him the honors that year in a Rumble with 40 men. This is far from a guarantee of actually winning, the ironman/woman has only won 11 of 45 Rumbles and neither Danielson nor Gunther won the matches they set the record in, though Bayley did (as did Mysterio, the previous holder of the record held by Gunther for the traditional Rumble and Danielson overall, as well as Rhea Ripley who set the record Bayley took over). Wrestling/SethRollins is the only one of those winners to enter after #3 (the number from which Flair won the 1992 Rumble as well as Bayley in the 2024 women's Rumble), winning as the 10th entry (with a time of 43:00) in 2019. Wrestling/TripleH (in 1996) has an ironman record with a twist; he lasted 48 minutes without making a single elimination.
* Wrestling/SteveAustin is the only person to win the match more than twice, with 3 (1997, 1998, and 2001). 10 guys have won it twice (in chronological order of their second win): Wrestling/HulkHogan, Wrestling/ShawnMichaels, Wrestling/JohnCena, Wrestling/{{Batista}}, Triple H, Randy Orton, Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}, Wrestling/BrockLesnar, and Wrestling/CodyRhodes. There's yet to be a two-time women's Rumble winner, but there's also only been 7 women's Rumbles. Hogan, Michaels, Austin, and Rhodes are the only people that have won 2 years in a row.
* Royal Rumble winners have won 22 of their automatic ''Wrestling/WrestleMania'' title matches and lost 14, with 4 winners not getting the automatic title shot[[note]]Steve Austin in 1997 (stripped of his title shot because of the shenanigans around his win), Wrestling/VinceMcMahon in 1999 (relinquished on account of not actually being a wrestler, plus champion Wrestling/TheRock was also a heel), John Cena in 2008 (used his title shot ''before'' Mania and failed to win the title), and Triple H in 2016 (the 2016 Rumble was for the title itself). If those numbers seem a bit off remember that the 1994 Rumble had two winners and the ''[=WrestleMania=]'' title match stipulation wasn't added until the sixth Rumble in 1993.[[/note]], though if you want to include Triple H's defense of the title he won in the 2016 match at ''[=Wrestlemania=]'' 32 it drops to 22-15. Rumble winners had a 7 year win streak from 2001 to 2007. The men are 17-12, the women are 5-2.
* Unsurprisingly, #30 has the most winners across both genders, with 5. What probably ''is'' surprising (or not if you understand how pro wrestling booking works) is that the #1 entry has won 4 times and the #2 entry (which is essentially the same thing as being #1) has won twice. #27 and #28 have also produced 4 winners each. Both Rumbles that had more than 30 people had the winner enter after #30 (Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio from #38 in 2011, Wrestling/BraunStrowman from #41 in the ''Greatest Royal Rumble''.) Batista is the only person to win twice with the same number, as both his wins came from the #28 spot.
* In 45 attempts[[note]]44 attempts for numbers 21-30, the first Rumble only had 20 people[[/note]] entry numbers 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 20, 21, and 26 have never won.
* Given that he has the most appearances it's not a shock that Kane also the most total eliminations, with 45 (46 if you count the one he got as Isaac Yankeem). Shawn Michaels and Wrestling/TheUndertaker are next on the list with 40 each, Rhea Ripley leads the women's side with 20.
* Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar are tied for the single match elimination record with 13 (Brock scored his consecutively in a traditional Rumble). Wrestling/NiaJax, Wrestling/BiancaBelair and Wrestling/ShaynaBaszler are tied for the women with 8 apiece.
* So far, there are nine winners belonging to the same WrestlingFamily. The Wrestling/SamoanDynasty produced the most with three; Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} in 1993, [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] in 2000, and Wrestling/RomanReigns in 2015. The [=McMahons=] produced two; Wrestling/{{Vince|McMahon}} in 1999 and Wrestling/TripleH in 2002 and 2016, but latter wasn't an official family member yet during the first time he won[[note]] HHH married Wrestling/StephanieMcMahon in September 2003[[/note]]. The Flairs produced two, with Wrestling/{{Ric|Flair}} winning in 1992 and his daughter Wrestling/{{Charlotte|Flair}} winning in 2020. 2019 winners Wrestling/SethRollins and Wrestling/BeckyLynch are a strange case; Like HHH above, they weren't officially a family at the time (they would marry on June 2021) but were already dating at this point.
----
!! 3! 2! 1! *bzzt* The next trope to enter the Royal Rumble is...
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:A-G]]
* AlliterativeTitle: The '''R'''oyal '''R'''umble.
* AlwaysSecondBest:
** Both Wrestling/BigShow and Wrestling/LivMorgan have yet to win the Rumble and came up short twice (in Morgan's case, in a row).
** Wrestling/{{Kane}} has appeared in more Royal Rumbles than any other wrestler in history (regardless of whether or not you count Glenn Jacobs' previous gimmicks towards his total) and the most combined eliminations from his Royal Rumble appearances (again, regardless of whether or not you count Glenn Jacobs' previous gimmicks towards his total), yet he has never won.
** Subverted by Wrestling/ShawnMichaels, Wrestling/TripleH, Wrestling/JohnCena, Wrestling/RomanReigns, Wrestling/RandyOrton, Wrestling/CharlotteFlair, and Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre. HHH already won the Rumble before he became a two time runner-up (both runner-up finishes happened consecutively, and both to the entry immediately after his), while Orton already won ''twice'' when he finished 2nd again. The rest have already won a single Rumble during the second time they finished in the spot (in Reigns' case, he would finish second three more times, which gives him a record which will be detailed below). In fact Cena and HHH won the Rumble again after their second stints as second placers.
** In 2018, Wrestling/RomanReigns broke Wrestling/BigShow's record of most times finishing as runner-up after coming short for the third time. He would break his own record two years later. Of course, having already won a Rumble match (2015) prior to the second time he finished second {{downplay|edTrope}}s this, but a record is a record.
* TheBadGuyWins:
** Wrestling/SgtSlaughter, in a non-Rumble match, winning the WWF Championship from the Wrestling/UltimateWarrior at the 1991 event, thanks to interference from Wrestling/RandySavage and the [[Wrestling/SherriMartel Sensational Sherri]].
** Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} in 1993, Wrestling/VinceMcMahon in 1999, Wrestling/RandyOrton in 2009, Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio in 2011, Wrestling/RheaRipley in 2023 and Wrestling/{{Bayley}} in 2024 are straight examples though in Vince's case it became a MeaninglessVillainVictory after he forfeited his right to face the champion and it was given to Stone Cold due to being the runner up and in Bayley's case she would turn face soon after her victory, unlike the others mentioned here.
** Wrestling/RicFlair's win in 1992, Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin's win in 1997, Wrestling/{{Batista}}'s win in 2005, Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}'s win in 2010, Wrestling/TripleH's win in 2016, Wrestling/RandyOrton's win in 2017, and Wrestling/CharlotteFlair's win in 2020 are possible examples depending on how you viewed their characters at the time. All were officially heels, and while Flair and Triple H stayed heel, the rest (most famously Batista) turned face shortly afterwards.
** Both [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] and Wrestling/BrockLesnar, who retained their titles vs. Wrestling/AJStyles and [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Balor]] in non-Rumble matches in the 2019 event. Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura defeated Wrestling/{{Rusev|AndLana}} in a non-Rumble match (during which Lana, acting as Rusev's valet at the time, suffers the injury that lets Becky Lynch win the women's Rumble as her emergency replacement) and wins the United States Championship for the second time.
** Wrestling/{{Bayley}}, Wrestling/{{Andrade|CienAlmas}} and [[Wrestling/BrayWyatt "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]], who retained their titles vs. Wrestling/LaceyEvans, Humberto Carrillo and [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] in non-Rumble matches in the 2020 event. Likewise, Wrestling/{{Sheamus}} defeated [[Wrestling/AmericanAlpha Shorty G]] in a non-title non-Rumble match on the pre-show.
** Wrestling/RomanReigns retained his title vs Wrestling/KevinOwens in non-Rumble match in the 2021 and [[HistoryRepeats 2023]] events. In 2024 Reigns retained his title in a Fatal 4 Way against Wrestling/RandyOrton, AJ Styles and Wrestling/LAKnight. Wrestling/NiaJax and Wrestling/ShaynaBaszler defeated Wrestling/CharlotteFlair and [[Wrestling/KanakoUrai Asuka]] and win the Women's Tag Team Championships in a non-Rumble match on the pre-show.
** Creator/LoganPaul defeated Kevin Owens in a non-Rumble match for the United States Championship by disqualification after Owens accidentally wear a brass knuckles and referee saw it.
* BestForLast: Theoretically, the last entrant has the most advantage in the Rumble match due to still being fresh while the other participants are already worn out. Indeed, the #30 spot produced the most winners with five [[labelnote:LIST]]Wrestling/TheUndertaker in 2007, Wrestling/JohnCena in 2008, Wrestling/TripleH in 2016, Wrestling/BrockLesnar in 2022; Lesnar himself has previously won the Rumble as #29 further proving this, Wrestling/CodyRhodes in 2023[[/labelnote]], while similarly late entries #27[[labelnote:LIST]]Wrestling/BigJohnStudd in 1989, Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} in 1993, Wrestling/BretHart in 1994; shared his Rumble victory with Wrestling/LexLuger who entered fairly late himself at 23, Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin in 2001[[/labelnote]] and #28[[labelnote:LIST]]Wrestling/{{Batista}} in 2005 and 2014, Wrestling/BeckyLynch in 2019 (as an emergency substitution for an injured [[Wrestling/RusevAndLana Lana]]), Wrestling/RondaRousey in 2022[[/labelnote]] are tied with second by producing four winners. Neither #40 in 2011 nor #50 in the ''Greatest'' Rumble won those respective matches, although both were won by a number never before drawn in a Rumble (2011 winner Del Rio drew #38, while Greatest Rumble winner Strowman entered at #41). In the second Rumble from 1989, Wrestling/TedDiBiase tried to take advantage of this by "buying" the No. 30 position; that, or he learned who drew No. 30 and paid off that wrestler to enter with his number. [=DiBiase=] saw his scheme blow up in his face when he was beaten down by a newly-turned-face Wrestling/BigJohnStudd and was the last elimination.
* BigWhat:
** Commentator Wrestling/VinceMcMahon lets out one in 1995 when it was revealed that [[spoiler: only one foot from Wrestling/ShawnMichaels touched the ground.]]
** Wrestling/JerryLawler got a couple in when the winner of ''[[Wrestling/WWEToughEnough Tough Enough]]'' season 1, Maven, eliminated Wrestling/TheUndertaker from behind.
* {{Bookends}}: The 1995, 1999, and 2021 events saw the first two entrants being the last two standing. 2023 would join them with the women's side. (In a variant, the 2006 event saw the first two entrants being among the last ''three'' standing, alongside the last entrant.) If you want to take things further, the 1995, 2004, 2021 men's, and 2023 women's events had the very first win the whole thing.
* BrickJoke: In the 2011 Rumble, Wrestling/SantinoMarella, who at that point had averaged about 15 seconds in two previous Rumble matches, would get knocked out by Sheamus within 20 seconds of his appearance and would have the fortune to fall under the bottom rope. Later on, Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio would be celebrating his apparent victory only to turn around and get hit with [[FinishingMove The Cobra]]! Unfortunately for Santino, he would take a few seconds too long to celebrate, and would instead go home as the runner up when Del Rio reversed his elimination attempt.
* CainAndAbel: As the saying goes, it's every man or woman for themselves. Siblings like the Hardy Boyz and the Bella Twins were more than ready to fight and backstab each other if they were in the Rumble at the same time. This is averted at certain times, such as by Wrestling/TheNewDay in 2020, and The [[{{Wrestling/Kane}} Brothers]] of [[Wrestling/TheUndertaker Destruction]] in 2001, in which cases the teammates will refuse to fight one another. Interestingly, the Rumble has never come down to the final two participants being members of the same team or stable (if one member of a team or stable is part of the final two and they were not the only member of said team or stable to enter the Rumble, they're always the last member remaining).
* TheCameo: It's almost tradition now for one of the surprise participants in the Rumble to be a legend from a bygone era. Of course, they never actually ''win'' the event, but they almost always get a huge pop and often notch an elimination or two before going over the top rope themselves. The only subversions were the 2016 (unless you were to count [[spoiler:Wrestling/SamiZayn's entry into the match]]), most likely because it was for the World Title itself rather than the usual shot at it) and the 2024 ''Royal Rumble'' (unless [[spoiler:[[Wrestling/AndradeCienAlmas Andrade's]] and Wrestling/{{Naomi}}'s returns]] are counted).
* CanonDiscontinuity: The 2004 Royal Rumble match is barely alluded to. This is due to the {{Unperson}}ing of [[Wrestling/ChrisBenoit the victor]] in regards to his [[PaterFamilicide controversial]] [[MurderSuicide death]].
* CarnivalOfKillers: In late 2005, after pillorying and firing ''Monday Night Raw'' General Manager Wrestling/EricBischoff on live television [[HumiliationConga (and having him thrown into a garbage truck as a final insult)]] WWE Chairman Vince [=McMahon=] assumed full control of ''Raw'' (a position he would not relinquish until appointing William Regal the new general manager in 2007) and began to take on some of the characteristics of a [[TheMafia Mafia crime kingpin]]. One of the first things he did was launch a vendetta against Shawn Michaels for refusing to serve as his lackey (just as Michaels had done in RealLife at the 1997 ''Survivor Series''), going so far as to pay off a number of heels to eliminate Michaels from the 2006 Rumble match. But Michaels thwarted all of these efforts by eliminating the eliminators, so Vince was forced to do it himself, having his son Shane launch a sneak attack while Vince provided a distraction at ringside. (This angle then continued for most of the year as Michaels raised the stakes by reforming D-Generation X with Wrestling/TripleH, with the [=McMahons=] recruiting even more henchmen, including heels from ''[=SmackDown=]'' and WWE's ECW.)
* CatchPhrase: The Rumble has often been described as "every man for himself", and more than lives up to it. Superstars are capable of being EnemyMine allies to eliminate tougher opponents even if they hate each other, while siblings and close friends have betrayed each other for a chance to win.
* ContinuityNod:
** The ThreeMonthRule often gets put on the backburner during the Rumble match; because of the sheer number of superstars involved (and the fact that the bookers probably do this on purpose), two wrestlers who had feuded some months back are bound to run into each other at some point during the Rumble. This can often result in some OhCrap moments for heels, particularly when the returning wrestler in question hasn't been seen on TV for a while.
** The first ever women's Royal Rumble in 2018 had a proportionally higher amount of nostalgia entrants than usual to help reinvigorate the crowd, who had been worn out by the men's Royal Rumble an hour prior and had been dead for the following two matches, and because of the much smaller women’s roster size. As a result, there were a number of nods to the previous fifteen years of women's wrestling in WWE, such as a reunion between the Divas of Doom (Wrestling/BethPhoenix and Wrestling/{{Natalya}}), a face-off between old rivals Wrestling/MickieJames and Wrestling/TrishStratus, and even a reference to the onscreen alliance/friendship between Wrestling/MichelleMcCool and Wrestling/VickieGuerrero.
** In the 2023 event, Wrestling/SamiZayn made a HeelFaceTurn when he hits Wrestling/RomanReigns with a steel chair from behind, reminiscent of Wrestling/SethRollins hitting Reigns from behind with a steel chair to solidify his 2014 [[FaceHeelTurn betrayal]] of Wrestling/TheShield.
* {{Crossover}}: The 2022 edition of the Women's Royal Rumble match had Wrestling/MickieJames entering as [[Wrestling/TotalNonstopActionWrestling Impact Wrestling]]'s Knockouts World Champion. Two years later, with Impact having revived their old TNA name, Jordynne Grace (holding the same title under a new name related to the TNA name's revival) entered the Women's Rumble.
* CurbStompBattle: Jobbers tend to get eliminated very quickly. Most humiliating of all was Santino Marella getting eliminated after only ''one second''. Some years earlier, one of Wrestling/TheBushwhackers managed to last a few seconds longer but didn't have time to throw a punch, getting dumped out before he could stop doing his comical "swinging-arms" march (and not even breaking stride when his feet hit the floor, continuing to vogue-march as if nothing had happened).
* DarkhorseVictory:
** Steve Austin's 1997 victory, in which he caught everyone by surprise and eliminated Wrestling/{{Vader}}, Undertaker and Wrestling/BretHart despite having gone over the top rope. [[EasilyDistractedReferee The refs didn't see him go over,]] as they were busy trying to break up a brawl between Wrestling/TerryFunk and [[Wrestling/MickFoley Mankind]]. Gorilla Monsoon rectified the situation by later organizing a four-way match between the four wrestlers for the right to challenge the WWF champion at [=WrestleMania=]. Due to Shawn Michaels vacating the title in February '97, the four-way became a title challenge, which Bret Hart won. The Undertaker [[TheRunnerUpTakesItAll eventually wound up challenging]] [[Wrestling/SidEudy Sycho Sid]] at [=WrestleMania=] for the title that year and won it.
** Alberto Del Rio in 2011 was one as well, though he ''had'' been [[CassandraTruth bragging for weeks that it was his "destiny" to win the Rumble]].
** Sheamus in 2012 is a particularly glaring one, as he was kind of floating in midcard hell when he won. Even more shocking is that he eliminated Wrestling/ChrisJericho to win, seeing as Jericho was a returning superstar who was undoubtedly there for ''[=WrestleMania=]'', and amid rumors that he was here to work a program with Wrestling/CMPunk, who was WWE Champion at the time. When that turned out to be true, and considering the match that occurred between Sheamus and [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] at '''Mania'' was the infamous "18 seconds" {{squash match}}, many felt Jericho should have won. Especially in hindsight, with Jericho establishing himself as an all-time legend whereas Sheamus' career would largely flounder in the midcard since then, many feel it was wrong that Jericho never won a Rumble in his life.
** Randy Orton in 2017, as popular rumors/predictions at the time were the likes of Wrestling/TheUndertaker, Wrestling/SamoaJoe, [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Balor]], Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura, Wrestling/ChrisJericho, Wrestling/TheMiz, Wrestling/DolphZiggler, or Wrestling/BrayWyatt winning it.
** Shinsuke Nakamura himself was this in 2018, as popular rumors/predictions at the time pointed towards Wrestling/RomanReigns and, to a lesser degree, Wrestling/JohnCena. Ironically, Nakamura had to eliminate both of them at the end to win the match.
** Though people generally expected him to do well on account of a well-received face turn and a few major victories leading up to the event itself, ''nobody'' expected Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre to not only win the 2020 Rumble, but to eliminate overwhelming odds-on favorite Roman Reigns ''and reigning WWE Champion Brock Lesnar'' (a low blow from Wrestling/{{Ricochet}} helped in the latter elimination) and have literally the best match of his entire career in the process.
** While Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}} was included in the 2021 Rumble as the first entrant, nobody actually expected him to keep fighting for just under an hour and actually win the whole thing. Most people expected Daniel Bryan or Seth Rollins to score the last elimination, not the returning veteran who has been out of action for over eight months.
* DemotedToExtra: Starting 1993, and with the sole exception of 1997,[[note]]Since then WWE Champion Shawn Michaels vacated the title due to injury, the following PPV featured a Fatal Four Way which included the winner Stone Cold.[[/note]] the Rumble winner has been main eventing [=WrestleMania=] to fight the WWE Champion. Things started to change from 2006-2012, as all Main Event privileges were given to someone else ([[SpotlightStealingSquad mostly]] to John Cena) except 2008[[note]]ironically, as Cena himself won that year's Rumble but didn't headline WM[[/note]] and 2009.[[note]]Rumble winner Wrestling/RandyOrton vs. WWE Champion Wrestling/TripleH[[/note]] The trend started repeating itself since 2017, where Wrestling/RomanReigns would headline [=WrestleMania=] over the Royal Rumble winners. But then came 2019, with women's Royal Rumble winner Wrestling/BeckyLynch main-eventing WM 35 alongside Wrestling/CharlotteFlair and Wrestling/RondaRousey.
* {{Determinator}}:
** Frequently one wrestler will last from very early on until the final phase of the match (usually over 40 minutes), often referred to as the "Iron Man / Woman" of the match by fans. This happens so often that the absence of one in 2010[[note]]Wrestling/JohnCena was the longest-lasting wrestler that year, but with a comparatively meager 27 minutes[[/note]] was noted as being surprising.
** 2016 had a variation with Wrestling/KevinOwens and [[Wrestling/JonMoxley Dean Ambrose]], who had just wrestled a brutal Last Man Standing match for the Intercontinental Championship earlier that night, and entered the Rumble anyway. Owens managed to [[spoiler:eliminate Wrestling/AJStyles]] before being eliminated himself, while Ambrose made it to the final two before being eliminated by Wrestling/TripleH.
* DiabolusExMachina: In 1994, The Undertaker is defeated by Yokozuna in a Casket Match when he is attacked by the ''entire heel roster''.
* DistractedByTheSexy: When Beth Phoenix entered a Men's Rumble as [[TheSmurfettePrinciple the only female participant]], she faced off against the Great Khali. Beth gave Khali a long kiss to distract him, and then eliminated him when he lowered his guard.
* DoubleKnockout:
** First happened in 1994 when Wrestling/BretHart and Lex Luger eliminated each other. The event has only been repeated itself since in 2005, when the match was simply restarted when Wrestling/JohnCena and Wrestling/{{Batista}} eliminated each other. While the former was done on purpose, the latter was an accident (and a legitimate one at that). It is one of the few times that instant replay can be used to decide a match in WWE. There are three contingencies for this event according to an episode of WWE's [=YouTube=] series, ''5 Things...'' - declare both of the last two men the winner, as seen in 1994; order [[TiebreakerRound Sudden Death]] Overtime, and have the last two men fight until one is thrown over the top rope again, as in 2005; or restart the match in its entirety, which hasn't happened (yet).
** Wrestling/TripleH and Wrestling/ShawnMichaels competed in a Last Man Standing match for the former's World Heavyweight title in 2004. The match ended in a draw, as neither men were unable to stand for the ten count.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
** The first Royal Rumble match in 1988 only had 20 entrants.
** The prize of a ''[=WrestleMania=]'' world title shot that now signifies the event wasn't added until 1993. Hulk Hogan, who won in 1991, did get a world title shot that year but not through the Rumble itself. Also, when Hogan won the Rumble the previous year, he was already the reigning champion.
** The first ''Royal Rumble'' event didn't take place on PPV like all the others, but was a television special on the USA Network.
** The early Royal Rumble matches also did not play entrance music for its entrants until 1997. This deprives those first number of Rumbles of the famous pops for major names and surprise entrants.
* EnemyMine:
** Feuding wrestlers may put aside their differences momentarily to work together and defeat a bigger and more powerful foe. This went up to eleven with the biggest wrestlers like Wrestling/AndreTheGiant and Wrestling/TheBigShow, who often needed ''all'' of the other wrestlers in the ring teaming up to throw them over. Nia Jax in the 2023 Women's Rumble took the eleven part literally, as it took a record ''eleven'' other wrestlers to eliminate her.
** Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin invoked this reaction once, as he'd attacked everyone in the match in the weeks leading up to the event. Austin's music hit, and everyone stopped so they could get some payback... [[SchmuckBait At which point Austin came from the crowd and started eliminating people]].
** Wrestling/MuhammadHassan provoked this, too, though not because he was a major threat, or he'd attacked everyone, but simply because ''everyone'' was sick of his "Everyone is prejudiced against me, the Muslim" shtick. He slid into the ring, and everyone, including {{heel}}s Edge and Luther Reigns, promptly beat the crap out of him before dumping him out of the ring. He then took out his frustration by [[KickTheDog jumping Scotty 2 Hotty and choking him out with a Camel Clutch before Scotty could even get in the ring]].
* ExactWords: The rules state that “both feet” must touch the floor for a participant to be eliminated from the match, leading to many of the more athletic participants (especially Kofi Kingston) taking advantage of this by either keeping one foot off the floor, being held by an ally who was conveniently eliminated immediately before, or is about to enter the match, or jumping to the barrier and back. {{Wrestling/Naomi|Wrestler}} made a RunningGag of this, doing everything from walking along the barrier, climbing into a chair and pulling it with her hands to get back to the ring, or using a plank to walk from the barrier to the ring steps without touching the floor.
* GenreSavvy:
** In the 2021 Women's Rumble match Rhea Ripley (a known Manga/DragonBall fan) demonstrated that TransformationIsAFreeAction does not apply when Alexa Bliss started transitioning into her Fiend persona by quickly running up behind Alexa and throwing her over the top rope as soon as the screens in the Thunder Dome started to show the image of a purple sky.
** Seth Rollins in the 2020 Royal Rumble brings fellow faction members AOP and Buddy Murphy to the ring in an attempt to win through their interference, something which faction leaders like Mr. [=McMahon=] (leader of the Wrestling/TheCorporation, though he would later win the 1999 Rumble) and Faarooq (leader of Wrestling/TheNationOfDomination who has had a really hard time in the Rumble) didn't think of. This goes both ways however, as the wrestlers eliminated by Seth's faction members are ''also'' GenreSavvy and realize that Seth is defenseless without his boys and drag AOP and Buddy Murphy backstage while Seth is left alone with fighting a bunch of pissed-off wrestlers.
* GuestFighter: As part of a deal WWE made with a Mexican wresting association called Lucha Libre AAA World Wide, four luchadors under their employment entered the 1997 Royal Rumble.
** 2022 featured guests in both Rumbles: the Womens' featured [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling Impact Knockouts Champion]] Wrestling/MickieJames, while the Men's featured Creator/JohnnyKnoxville and Music/BadBunny.
** The 2024 Women's Rumble featured TNA Knockouts World Champion, Jordynne Grace.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:H-M]]
* HarmfulToMinors: Wrestling/MickFoley's children were present during his infamous I-Quit match against [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] in the 1999 event.
* HeelFaceTurn: The 2023 edition has Wrestling/SamiZayn hitting Wrestling/RomanReigns from behind with the steel chair, tired of his abuse of him and his brutal beatdown of Kevin Owens, resulting in him being kicked out of the Bloodline.
* HesBack: The Rumble match has been used as a re-launching pad for various wrestlers for a while now. The 2002 event had a number of returns advertised beforehand, but they have occasionally thrown in some surprises since. Special mention must go to John Cena, whose entry as #30 in the 2008 Royal Rumble match was genuinely surprising as he was injured and was supposed to be out until after ''[=WrestleMania=]'', and Edge, who was injured during the summer of 2009 and was supposed to be out for up to a year, only to return as #29 in the 2010 Royal Rumble match. Both would go on to win the match. Edge managed to do this again in 2020 entering #21, coming back from retirement.
* HistoryRepeats:
** Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin has won the event a record three times, while Wrestling/HulkHogan, Wrestling/ShawnMichaels, Wrestling/TripleH, Wrestling/JohnCena, Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}}, Wrestling/{{Batista}}, Wrestling/RandyOrton, Wrestling/BrockLesnar, and Wrestling/CodyRhodes have all won twice.
** Overlapping with TheNotableNumeral, the 27th and 28th entrants have won four times, the 1st and 24th entrants have won thrice, and the 2nd, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, and 29th entrants have all won twice...on the men's side. For the women, the 3rd and 28th entrants have won twice. The 30th entrant has five wins as of 2024.
** The WWE Title was on the line twice during the eponymous Rumble match. Coincidentally (or not), both events saw a former (or future) Wrestling/{{Evolution}} member crowned as the new champion (HHH and Wrestling/RicFlair).
** Speaking of Batista, he was the first 28th entrant to win twice mentioned above.
** Speaking of Orton, he was part of a PowerTrio [[PowerStable stable]] in the two events that he won (Legacy in 2009, Wrestling/TheWyattFamily in 2017). Both times the final few came down to Orton, at least one trio mate, and his runner-up.
** Wrestling/BigShow, Wrestling/TripleH, Wrestling/JohnCena, Wrestling/RandyOrton, Wrestling/CharlotteFlair, Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre, and Wrestling/LivMorgan have all been runner-up on two different occasions, while Wrestling/RomanReigns ended up in second place four times. Hunter's were in consecutive Rumbles, both to the entrant immediately after him (2008, to #30 entrant Cena after Trips entered at 29, and 2009, to #8 entrant Orton after Trips entered at #7).
** Speaking of Reigns, he was eliminated by two former Wrestling/{{Evolution}} members in the two events that he placed 2nd. If you count the 2016 event where HHH eliminated him, he was eliminated by a former Evolution member three times. Of course, he has yet to appear in a Rumble with Wrestling/RicFlair.
** Wrestling/RomanReigns and Wrestling/KevinOwens have faced each other for the Universal Championship in this event three times (2017, 2021, and 2023), with Kevin winning the first bout while Reigns won the latter two (both of Reigns' victories came during the same title reign).
** The number 30 entrant has won consecutive men's Rumble matches twice. First it was Undertaker in 2007, followed by John Cena in a surprise return as number 30 in 2008 (which 'Taker and his runner-up Shawn Michaels started). Then Brock Lesnar won the 2022 Rumble as number 30, which Cody Rhodes backed up with his own win from the same entry.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Zig-zagged at the 1994 ''Rumble''; Undertaker was set to challenge Yokozuna for the WWF Championship at the event, but Jim Cornette, serving as Yokozuna's "American Spokesperson," weaved a little "Smokey Mountain Magic" and was able to add the stipulation in the match contract that it would be the only opportunity Taker would have to challenge Yokozuna as long as he had the championship (a trick Cornette had pulled on Lex Luger at the previous year's ''[=SummerSlam=]''). Paul Bearer, however, took a page out of Cornette's own playbook and weaved a little black magic of his own, and made the match a Casket Match - to win, you had to stuff your opponent in a casket at ringside and shut the lid. Since it was touted as Taker's specialty, and since Yokozuna seemed to have a severe phobia of caskets, it looked like Taker would be win the title - he was even dominating the match. But, Yokozuna's manager Mr. Fuji would have the last laugh; taking full advantage of the no disqualification aspect of the match, Fuji arranged for more than half a dozen heels to come down and gang up on Taker, who eventually ended up getting stuffed in the "double wide, double deep" casket that he had made special for the 500 pound-plus champ.
* IdiotBall: As noted by ''Cageside Seats'' in its [[http://www.cagesideseats.com/2016/2/27/10911468/royal-rumble-dumbest-ass-award-statistics?utm_campaign=cagesideseats&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter "Dumbest Ass" awards]], there's at least one moment or elimination per Royal Rumble match that can be attributed to someone picking up, if not outright juggling, the Ball.
* InvincibleHero: Not that there's never been a heel winner of course, but it's kind of suspicious how the person who wins the ''Rumble'' is always a main eventer in the middle of getting a big push. It's pretty rare for an actual underdog to win, and a lower card wrestler ''never'' wins, despite the fact that if the winner wasn't predetermined, you'd think almost everyone would have a pretty equal chance of winning.
* {{Jobber}}: A few of them show up to the Royal Rumbles and are quickly eliminated. Usually in a matter of '''seconds'''.
** Wrestling/{{Gillberg}} in the 1999 Rumble didn't even seem to realize what was going on and immediately posed on top of the ropes upon his entrance, which leads to him being quickly eliminated by Edge.
** Kaientai weren't even ''in'' the 2000 Rumble, and their repeated interference always resulted in them being swiftly ejected by the much more taller and musclebound wrestlers.
* JokeCharacter: One of the popular ways of structuring the Rumble is to have one or two of these to show up partway through:
** Wrestling/BobBacklund in 2000.
** Creator/DrewCarey and Honky Tonk Man in 2001.
** Ernest Miller in 2004.
** Santino Marella in the majority of his appearances. ''Almost'' became a LethalJokeCharacter in the 2011 Royal Rumble match, when he and Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio ended up being the last two and almost eliminated Del Rio, but Del Rio reversed it and eliminated him to become the winner.
** ''[[Wrestling/WWEToughEnough Tough Enough]]'' rookie Maven ended up becoming a LethalJokeCharacter in 2002 by eliminating Wrestling/TheUndertaker. He would pay for it immediately afterward.
** Curt Hawkins, Wrestling/TitusONeil and No Way Jose in 2019.
** [[Wrestling/ShaneHelms The Hurricane]] in 2021.
** [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth]] in 2024.
* KillStreak:
** Wrestling/{{Kane}} set the record of the most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match during the 2001 with 11. This would last until 2014, when Wrestling/RomanReigns (then a member of Wrestling/TheShield) picked up 12 in his ''first'' appearance in the match. Wrestling/BraunStrowman would go on to break the record in 2018, coming in at 13 eliminations during the ''Greatest Royal Rumble'', and Wrestling/BrockLesnar would tie the record in 2020. The Lesnar example in 2020 actually took this to its logical extreme, as he entered the Men's Royal Rumble match at number 1, and proceeded to eliminate the first 13 men to come after him (the next two candidates to continue that chain, Ricochet and Drew [=McIntyre=], worked together to eliminate him via Ricochet hitting Brock from behind with a low blow leaving him vulnerable to the Claymore that eliminated him).
** In the Women's Royal Rumble match, Bianca Belair and Shayna Baszler established a record eliminating 8 participants each in 2020. Similar to the Lesnar example, Baszler (the last entrant in the match) made her record in part by quickly eliminating 7 of the remaining 8 participants in a row.
* LargeHam:
** Long-time announcer Howard Finkel counts in general anyway, but some of his Royal Rumble match introductions cranked the hamminess up to eleven, and his year-after-year summaries of the rules have sometimes seeped into the territory of OverlyLongGag.
** If a wrestler (usually a heel) manages to eliminate everyone else in the ring and there's still about a minute left until the next entrant is scheduled to appear, he will often grab a mike (the match is otherwise almost totally nonverbal) and talk to the audience, either bragging about how well he is doing or spewing some political or ideological screed. Wrestling/CMPunk in 2010 and Wrestling/BrayWyatt in 2015 [[OverlyLongGag dragged this out for a ridiculously long period of time]], stopping only to eliminate several competitors in succession as they entered the ring before going right back to the mike, with Wyatt even leading the crowd in an impromptu performance of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
** {{Subverted|trope}} - [[PlayedforLaughs hilariously]] - by Stone Cold Steve Austin in 2002 when he simply waited quietly for each new Superstar to appear, effortlessly threw each out, and then waited some more, occasionally looking bored and miming glancing at a wristwatch. He had attempted something similar in 1997, except that then his attempt at being nonchalant was ruined [[OhCrap when]] Wrestling/BretHart [[OhCrap entered]].
* LiteralCliffhanger: Expect to see a lot of wrestlers hanging to the ropes for dear life. Especially if they're the more athletic ones. The particularly tall guys (usually also on the heavier side) can't do this as well since the extra height works against them.
* LoopholeAbuse:
** Because you're only eliminated if you go over the top rope, some of the more GenreSavvy wrestlers will use this clause to stay out of the ring (or, like Wrestling/JerryLawler, hide under it) until later in the match if knocked out through the middle or bottom rope, only to jump back in when everyone else involved is fatigued - or as seen in 2001, in the the midst of the Hardcore title's [=24/7=] era, come back armed with weapons. Subverted in 2000 when, after weeks of arguing his case, Big Show proved that the Rock, the official victor of the match, did not deserve the win, as at the end he was thrown over the top rope and - though he held on and came back in to win - his feet still touched the mat and he would have been eliminated if a ref saw it, the loophole being that such decisions can't be reversed so long after a bout. This resulted in a match at ''Wrestling/{{No Way Out|WWE}}'' over who got to challenge Triple H at ''[=WrestleMania=]'', and the Rock lost. DoubleSubverted when Vince [=McMahon=] teamed up with Rocky to make it a Triple Threat Match[[note]] which later became a Fatal Four Way with Mick Foley, backed by Linda [=McMahon=], joining[[/note]] so Rock main evented anyway.
** Since the rules say you're only eliminated [[ExactWords if you go over the top rope AND both feet touch the floor]], you can land on one foot, hop to the stairs, and get back into the ring and not be considered eliminated.
** Wrestling/KofiKingston practically becomes Houdini when in the Royal Rumble match. In 2012, he did a handstand on the outside to get into the ring. In 2013, he piggy-backed Wrestling/BrodusClay to the announce tables, then bunny-hopped on [[Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield JBL]]'s chair to get to the apron. And in 2014, he topped them all by riding Wrestling/{{Rusev}} to the guardrail, and jumping from the guardrail to the ring apron. In 2015, he was saved by Wrestling/AdamRose's rosebud crew. In 2016, he rode on [[Wrestling/BigELangston Big E's]] shoulders to stay in.
** During the first Women's Royal Rumble in 2018, Wrestling/{{Naomi|Wrestler}} combined three of Kofi's saves in ''one''. She landed on the guardrail, walked her way on the guardrail towards guest ring announcer Maria Menounos, convinced her to give up her chair, put her feet on said chair, and ''walked with her hands'' to the ring steps with her feet still not touching the floor thanks to still being on the chair. Corey Graves lampshaded the similarities to Kofi, wondering if Naomi had been watching one of Kofi's Rumble highlight reels. Naomi has made a RunningGag of this in seeming to be eliminated, only to somehow keep her feet from hitting the floor and then creatively making her way back into the ring. Sadly, she's [[DownerEnding usually eliminated for real soon after.]]
** Also, the rules only say you're eliminated if you go over the top rope and both feet touch the floor, no matter how it happens. This has led to eliminated wrestlers (and on rare occasions, wrestlers simply holding a grudge) entering the ring and eliminating a wrestler still participating in the Rumble. It's also possible for wrestlers to eliminate themselves by going over the top rope and dropping to the floor on their own.
** During the early days of the Brand Extension, it was believed that the winner of the Royal Rumble match simply received a shot at their brand's championship. In 2004, Chris Benoit pointed out that it was only stated that the winner received a main event title opportunity at ''[=WrestleMania=]'' and nothing about being restricted to their current brand's title, and took the opportunity to jump ship from ''[=SmackDown=]'' to ''Raw'' and compete for the World Heavyweight title instead of the WWE title, partly because then-GM Paul Heyman had been making his life hell at the time. All future Royal Rumble match winners were granted the opportunity to choose which championship they wanted to compete for, until the 2014 event, at which point WWE had unified the WWE and World Heavyweight titles, eliminating the need for the choice. This particular loophole led to one of the biggest face turns in recent WWE history in 2005, when Batista was about to sign the contract to go after the WWE Championship on [=SmackDown=] (with Evolution stablemate Triple H having the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw), giving a big thumbs up to Trips and Flair...then turning it into a thumbs down (in a mirror of what Trips did to Randy Orton when he won the title), leaving Evolution, and signing the contract for Trips' championship instead. That said, Benoit currently holds the distinction of being the only winner so far to have exploited this, as almost all victors since have challenged for their brand's main belt.
*** This stipulation was formally brought back in 2018 (the second year of the second brand extension) where it was stated that the winners (Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura) could go after any champion of their choice, regardless of show. Although, because this stipulation ''doesn't'' specify that you have to go to compete for a world championship (for men's Rumble winner) or a Women's championship (for women's Rumble winner) as the reward for winning the Royal Rumble, this can potentially lead to the Rumble winner (male or female) to declare their intentions to compete for ''any'' other championship that WWE currently have.[[note]]Thus technically, a female wrestler can potentially compete for a men's title, and vice versa.[[/note]] Thankfully, no one has fully invoked this loophole just yet.
** Early in the Rumble's history, Wrestling/TedDiBiase tried to sidestep a rule that stated that the number they drew is the number they must enter at, and no switching was allowed. In a pretaped segment featuring the wrestlers drawing their numbers, [=DiBiase=] was shown being very unhappy with his draw but, upon learning Wrestling/{{Slick}} was very happy with the numbers his men drew, he took him aside and convinced him to trade numbers for a cash payoff. As such, [=DiBiase=] entered at No. 30. Although this did not work out for "The Million Dollar Man" in the end ([=DiBiase=] was left alone with Wrestling/BigJohnStudd and ended up a squash victim), future Rumbles were supposedly set up to prevent a situation such as what [=DiBiase=] attempted to pull off.
** You can also be eliminated by a wrestler not participating in the Rumble match, as in the 2021 Men's Rumble, when Wrestling/AJStyles brought his bodyguard Omos to the ringside, where he eliminated [[Wrestling/BigELangston Big E]] and Wrestling/ReyMysterio, in addition to saving Styles from being eliminated several times.
* MassiveMultiplayerCrossover: Particularly during the brand extension years when it was rare to see wrestlers from ''Raw'' and ''[=SmackDown=]'' in the ring together, though it always brought together wrestlers who would otherwise not be likely to fight one another, being higher or lower on the card. With the introduction of ''Wrestling/{{WWENXT}}'', it also had the added benefit of introducing the audience to potential future stars that were currently still in developmental. Of particular note is the 2018 PPV, which has ''four'' such stars across both Rumbles.[[note]]for the men's, then-NXT Champion Wrestling/AndradeCienAlmas and Wrestling/AdamCole, and for the women's, then NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon and Kairi Sane[[/note]] WWE went even further in 2022, with Mickie James entering as Impact Wrestling's Knockouts Champion (followed two years later by Jordynne Grace with the same title under a different name after Impact revived their old TNA name).
* MediumAwareness: In 2002, the match actually stopped dead for several minutes (the ring was temporarily empty) so that the cameras could show the Undertaker chasing Maven all the way up to the convention center's hallway ringing the arena and smashing him into a popcorn vendor's stall. None of the other participants were at all confused by this (especially those who were still competing when the chase started), and conveniently waited for the camera crew to return to the ring before entering the arena.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:N-W]]
* NewRulesAsThePlotDemands:
** In early years, whether or not an elimination counted if the person doing the elimination has already gone over the top rope himself depended on how convenient it was that year, until it was set that yes, it counts. This was most notable when Randy Savage accidentally eliminated himself in the 1992 Royal Rumble match and then re-entered the ring, at which point the announcers had to ad-lib a reason for him still being there.
** In 2008, Finlay was eliminated ''by disqualification'' for entering the match before his number was called to help Hornswoggle.
** In 2023, Rey Mysterio was unable to enter the match before the next number was called out (due to being beaten up by his son Dominick who ironically came out next), so he was disqualified.
* NoSell: When The Undertaker was attacked by the heels in 1994, he did not budge when Jeff Jarrett hit him with a fist drop.
* TheNotableNumeral:
** The numbers with the most Rumble victories are #1, #27, #28, and #30; 4 wrestlers have won as entrants #1 and #27 and 5 #30[[note]]For #1 there were Wrestling/ShawnMichaels (1995), Wrestling/ChrisBenoit (2004, although he's not mentioned often for obvious reasons), Wrestling/{{Edge}}(2021) and Wrestling/RheaRipley (2023); for #27 those were Wrestling/BigJohnStudd (1989), Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} (1993), Wrestling/BretHart (1994 - shared his Rumble victory with Wrestling/LexLuger, who entered at 23) and Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin (2001); For #30 those were Wrestling/TheUndertaker (2007), Wrestling/JohnCena (2008), Wrestling/TripleH (2016), Wrestling/BrockLesnar (2022), and Wrestling/CodyRhodes (2023)[[/note]], while the first two instances where #28 won was done by the same person[[note]]Wrestling/{{Batista}} in 2005 and 2014, the other two are Wrestling/BeckyLynch in 2019 (as an emergency substitution for an injured Lana) and Wrestling/RondaRousey in 2022[[/note]]. This tends to get brought up by commentators whenever the #27 entrant arrives. PlayedForLaughs in the 2017 Royal Rumble match: Wrestling/BrockLesnar entered at #26 and laid waste of everyone in the ring, and then waited for the #27, who the commentators wondering who got both the notable number ''and'' now the task of having to deal with Lesnar. It turned out to be... [[Wrestling/EnzoAndCass Enzo Amore]], who cemented his status as the JokeCharacter of the moment when Lesnar quickly eliminated him.[[note]]everyone knew Goldberg and The Undertaker were still due to enter the Rumble[[/note]]
** Typically, before the match, they go through all the statistics that have accumulated over the history of the ''Royal Rumble''.
* NoThemeTune: Prior to the 1996 Royal Rumble, only the two first entrants had entrance music as they walked to the ring. Even eventual winners like Wrestling/HulkHogan, Wrestling/RicFlair and Wrestling/{{Yokozuna}} lacked their entrance music, which is especially jarring for those used to the loud pops that these main-eventers' theme songs bring.
* OhCrap:
** Whenever a main eventer enters. The effect is often sweetened by delaying the wrestler's entrance music for a few moments after the countdown.
** Wrestling/AndreTheGiant, when – minutes after eliminating Wrestling/JakeRoberts (by completely squashing him) – he saw the first sign of Damien the snake and eliminated himself. Andre didn't quit running until he was almost all the way to the back. [[note]](At the time, Andre and Roberts were in a storyline where Roberts caused Andre to suffer a massive heart attack after having Damien thrown on top of him after a match.)[[/note]]
** This can also happen whenever a WrestlingMonster (like The Great Khali or the Wrestling/BigShow) enters the Royal Rumble match. They may eliminate a lot of people when they first get in, although as the past has shown, giants have a lesser chance of winning due to being ganged up on by everyone else.
** In the 2001 Royal Rumble match, there's two Oh Crap! moments during that year. First, Creator/DrewCarey realizing he has to face Wrestling/{{Kane}} after the Hardy Boyz were eliminated. The second is Scotty 2 Hotty realizing that the only other people in the ring were Kane '''and''' Wrestling/TheUndertaker, who were working in tandem and just finished eliminating everyone in the ring (except [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] who was still knocked out outside the ring, thanks to the Wrestling/BigShow). Scotty, who usually danced his way to the ring, somberly walked there instead with a look on his face that ''clearly'' said "ThisIsGonnaSuck".
** The Great Khali's first Royal Rumble match appearance in 2007, where most of the superstars stop fighting to see him. Not even a huge number of superstars were able to take him down. Ironically, Khali would end up having a moment of his own during the same match when the #30 entrant was revealed to be Wrestling/TheUndertaker, with whom he had feuded months before, and would go on to eventually eliminate Khali.
** Especially noticeable is the 2009 Royal Rumble match, where when the Undertaker entered, every single superstar in the ring immediately stopped fighting and moved towards one side of the ring to await for his arrival.
** Roman Reigns had two moments in the 2016 ''Rumble''. After entering at #1 and eliminating #2, Rusev, Reigns looks confident as he waits for #3 to come out, only for it to be Wrestling/AJStyles, in his WWE debut. He then starts pacing the ring, a look that says "Oh, what have I gotten myself into?" He even shakes his head in disbelief. Then again once #30 comes out, and it's Triple H, for the first time since Reigns attacked him at ''TLC''.
* PlayerElimination: In-universe. It's a variation on the [[GimmickMatches Battle Royale]] match from Wrestling/{{WWE}} that adds staggered entrances, starting with two wrestlers in the ring, and others join at regular intervals. In this case, while elimination can occur at any time, victory cannot be claimed until all 20-50 included wrestlers have made their entry.
* RingOldies: It's almost tradition now for one of the surprise participants in the Rumble to be a legend from a bygone era. Of course, they never actually win, but they almost always get a huge pop and often notch an elimination or two before going over the top rope themselves... except until 2021, where Wrestling/{{Edge|Wrestler}} managed to win the match from the No.1 position, no less!
* RuleOfSymbolism: The final six of the 2018 Men's Rumble had Wrestling/RomanReigns, Wrestling/FinnBalor, and Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura on one side of the ring staring down Wrestling/JohnCena, Wrestling/RandyOrton, and Wrestling/ReyMysterio in a new vs. old moment. Of course, Nakamura started wrestling around the same time as Cena and Orton, with only Mysterio having more experience, but it looked cool.
* RunningGag:
** Jerry Lawler's predictions turning out badly, which has been repeated with a few other commentators like Tazz.
** Starting in 2012, Wrestling/KofiKingston will always find some crazy or incredibly flukey way of avoiding elimination, whether it's walking on his hands over to the steps without letting his feet touch the floor, or being sent flying out to be caught by Wrestling/AdamRose's posse of Rosebuds, who aren't quite keeping up with the action and end up putting him back in again. Unfortunately averted in 2020, when Wrestling/BrockLesnar tosses Kofi out so quickly he doesn't have a chance to do a spot at all.
** During the 2018 Men's Rumble, Wrestling/HeathSlater was assaulted by Wrestling/BaronCorbin while on his way to the ring and left lying in a heap on the ramp. The following five or so entrants would all abuse him in various ways, wiping him out before he could officially enter the match, culminating in Wrestling/{{Big E|Langston}} stuffing his face with pancakes. Heath's pain would end when Wrestling/{{Sheamus}} took pity on him and finally got him into the ring (only for Heath to immediately clothesline Sheamus out in return as soon as he climbed through the ropes).
** In every Rumble match from 1998 to 2002, the #30 entrant [[note]]Vader in 1998, Chyna in 1999, X-Pac in 2000, Rikishi in 2001 and Booker T in 2002[[/note]] would chuck out precisely one person before being eliminated themselves shortly thereafter. This gag ended in the 2003 Rumble when the Undertaker drew #30 and went on a FoeTossingCharge.
** Wrestling/{{Naomi|Wrestler}} has taken a page from Kofi's book and made a running gag of somehow saving herself from elimination and creatively getting back in the ring. Sadly, she's usually eliminated for real soon after.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere:
** Creator/DrewCarey entered the Rumble in 2001, finding himself alone in the ring after Wrestling/{{Matt|Hardy}} and Wrestling/JeffHardy eliminate each other. He celebrates... until Wrestling/{{Kane}} is the next entrant. After fruitlessly trying to beg the referees for help, offering the Big Red Monster a handshake and even attempting to bribe him, Kane has him in position for a chokeslam, and only the arrival of Wrestling/{{Raven}}, who hits Kane in the back with a pool cue, saves him from certain doom. Carey decides to capitalize while Raven distracts Kane... to climb over the ropes and eliminate himself.
** The 2020 Women's Royal Rumble saw the return of Wrestling/SantinoMarella -- or rather, his sister/female alter ego, Santina, who promptly gets caught between Natalya and Beth Phoenix, and at first considers breaking out [[FinishingMove the Cobra]]... before just tossing "herself" over the top rope and out of the match.
** In 2024, Pat [=McAfee=], who was one of the commentators, was surprised to hear his number being called out and entered the ring in a dress shirt and shoes, only to see extremely angry Bron Breakker and Omos in the center. Wisely, he decides to go over the top rope, then to get back into the ring and square up... only to change his mind once more and actually eliminate himself. Omos in particular (standing 7-plus feet tall and weighing 400-plus pounds) would've been very bad news for the former NFL punter had they actually clashed.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Before the Women's Rumble was created, a few Rumbles had at least one female participant. She was usually a particularly buff woman like {{Wrestling/Chyna}} or Wrestling/BethPhoenix who could credibly mix it up with the men. The second year of the Women's Rumble had Nia Jax (one of those particularly buff women who could credibly mix it up with the men) replace #30 entrant R-Truth after ambushing him during his entrance.
* SoreLoser: Some wrestlers have responded to getting eliminated very badly:
** In the second ever Rumble in 1989, when Wrestling/JakeRoberts entered he immediately charged Wrestling/AndreTheGiant (they were feuding at the time) and André proceeded to [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown pummel the life out of Jake]] until a barely-conscious Jake was tossed. A few minutes later Jake ran back with Damien in tow, causing André to eliminate himself and [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes get the hell away from Damien]].
** One of the earliest examples (and a rare non-heel one) of this is Wrestling/HulkHogan of all people; both times he was eliminated in a Royal Rumble match, he immediately screwed the person who eliminated him out of winning too. [[note]]In 1989, Hogan was eliminated by the Twin Towers (Wrestling/BigBossMan and Wrestling/TheOneManGang), and he managed to get back to the ring and pull out Boss Man. Then in 1992, when [[Wrestling/SidEudy Sid Justice]] tossed Hogan, Hogan grabbed Sid's arm from the outside, allowing Wrestling/RicFlair (who had entered at number 3) to toss Sid and win the Rumble.[[/note]]
** Wrestling/TheUndertaker was in an extremely foul mood after Maven took him out from behind in 2002. Cue NoHoldsBarredBeatdown to the point that Maven would be unable to continue, despite not having gone over the top rope.
** Wrestling/KurtAngle was eliminated by Shawn Michaels in 2005. Angle came back in later to eliminate Michaels and continued to attack him afterwards.
** Wrestling/BookerT was eliminated by Kane in 2007, and came back in later and eliminated Kane.
** Wrestling/WadeBarrett was also not too happy he got eliminated by [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]] newcomer Wrestling/BoDallas, considering Wade's the first winner of NXT. Bo might have lasted a bit longer if Wade hadn't rushed back to eliminate him.
** Shawn Michaels became almost catatonic on the outside of the ring after Wrestling/{{Batista}} eliminated him in 2010. Then, after a HeroicBSOD, he started manhandling and [[FinishingMove superkicking]] referees out of frustration despite being a {{face}} (Michaels had become [[SanitySlippage obsessed]] with redeeming his ''[=WrestleMania=]'' XXV loss to Wrestling/TheUndertaker, and winning the Royal Rumble match was his only guaranteed chance as Taker was champion at the time). He would eventually get that rematch with 'Taker... after costing him the title in the Elimination Chamber match at its own titular PPV inbetween the Rumble and Mania.
** Wrestling/BaronCorbin ''flipped'' after he was eliminated during the beginning of the 2018 Men's Rumble, and beat the hell out of the only remaining entrants at the time, Wrestling/FinnBalor and Wrestling/{{Rusev|andLana}}, then knocking down incoming entrant Wrestling/HeathSlater as he was being forcibly escorted to the back by officials.
** In the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble, Wrestling/VickieGuerrero attacked incoming entrant Wrestling/{{Carmella}} with the latter's Money in the Bank briefcase after she was eliminated from the Women's Rumble by every other entrant in the ring at the time (including former accomplice Michelle [=McCool=]).
** In the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble, Mandy Rose, after being eliminated by Wrestling/{{Naomi|Wrestler}}, attacked her and eliminated her.
** In the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble, Wrestling/BobbyLashley, after been eliminated by Wrestling/SethRollins, attacked him with help of his manager Wrestling/LioRush and threw him to the announce table.
** In the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble, [[Wrestling/RusevAndLana Lana]], after being eliminated by Wrestling/LivMorgan, attacked her and eliminated her.
** In the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble, Wrestling/SonyaDeville, after being eliminated by Wrestling/{{Naomi|Wrestler}}, interfered and eliminated her.
** In the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble, Wrestling/KarrionKross, after being eliminated by Bobby Lashley, attacked Lashley and later eliminated him from the Rumble match. Their subsequent brawl (involving the Authors of Pain on Kross' side and the Street Profits on Lashley's) would reach the entrance just as Ludwig Kaiser, the next entrant, came out.
* StealthInsult: After [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] was eliminated during the 2015 Rumble match, Wrestling/{{Goldust}} makes his entrance. The latter's titantron reads "Shattered Dreams", which many fans and even some reviewers read as WWE's way of [[TakeThatAudience sticking it to the fans]], as while Bryan was the most popular wrestler at the time, this was during WWE's initial mega-push of their [[CreatorsPet pet project]], Wrestling/RomanReigns.
* StillGotIt: "YOU STILL GOT IT" chants usually accompany a {{Ring Oldie|s}}'s performance in the Rumble.
* ThereCanOnlyBeOne: Averted in 1994, but played straight since. The most notable instance of this is when Wrestling/JohnCena and Wrestling/{{Batista}} had been eliminated at the same time at the end of the 2005 ''Rumble''. Since this was during the Brand Extension and Batista was on ''Raw'' and Cena was on ''[=SmackDown=]'' at the time, the referees from both brands were arguing their case -- eventually, Vince ordered a redo in order to avoid a repeat of '94, and Batista went on to win. [[note]]Notably, this was due to the 2005 version not being planned - it was a ''complete'' accident that both men toppled over at the same time, but the referees improvised beautifully until they could get official word on how to resolve it.[[/note]]
* TooDumbToLive:
** In 1993, Randy Savage seemed to forget the rules to the Royal Rumble match, attempting to pin Yokozuna near the ropes, which of course led to the big man simply tossing him right over to win the match.
** In 2012, Wrestling/JackSwagger got a K.O. Punch from the Big Show when he wasn't too happy that Big Show eliminated him outside the ring.
** In 2016, [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth]] got his GimmickMatches mixed up, thinking he was in a Ladder Match. He was greeted with bewildered looks, and Kane tossed him right out.
*** This happened twice in 2024: at first he entered the Women's Rumble (he thought his number was called up just as Valhalla was heading into the ring), only to be eliminated by Wrestling/NiaJax a few seconds later (Valhalla would be quickly eliminated herself, setting the match's shortest time of competing at five seconds). He later went to participate in the Men's Rumble, where he put the eliminated JD [=McDonagh=] back into the match only for him to be tossed out against, and then Truth, assuming it was a tag team match, waited for Wrestling/DominikMysterio to tag him in. Once he got tagged, Truth quickly unleashed a barrage of moves at [[Wrestling/{{Walter}} Gunther]], only to be quickly smashed by the Ring General.
* TonightInThisVeryRing: The Royal Rumble match usually main events the ''Royal Rumble'' show, but it has been averted in 1988, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013 and 2023.
* UnderestimatingBadassery: When Beth Phoenix entered the 2010 Rumble, she faced off against the Great Khali. He gestured to the back, clearly saying she shouldn't be in the ring. When she refused to leave, he picked her up and placed her on the apron, telling her to jump down and head to the back so she wouldn't be hurt. Instead, Beth gave him a long kiss...distracting him long enough for her to flip him over the ropes and eliminate him before scrambling back into the ring.
* UnnecessaryRoughness:
** At the 1999 event, Wrestling/MickFoley took '''ten unprotected chair shots to the head''' during his "I Quit" Match with [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]]. The Rock wasn't supposed to keep on hitting him, and Mick himself classified the match as "having gotten away" from both of them; i.e. they both got caught up in the drama and neither was willing to end it before the scheduled finish. This was made worse by the fact that Foley's family was at ringside, and were clearly traumatized. The Rock didn't apologize to Foley for his actions, and this later became a bitter sticking point on Foley's part, though he said that when he eventually confronted The Rock about it, The Rock thought that he ''had'' checked on Foley after the match, and became very upset upon realizing he hadn't. In his second book, Foley admits both did wrong in the scenario but he was more in the wrong. Once the Rock was made aware of the situation, he apologized immediately. Foley was aware of the slight for several months but let it simmer unknown and lead him into bitterness (mostly as fuel for a FaceHeelTurn during the Rock 'n' Sock Connection days against the Rock that never materialized.)
** Rather {{invoked|Trope}} in the 2019 Men's Rumble Match towards Wrestling/NiaJax of all people: After ambushing [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth]] at the entrance walkway, then later eliminating Wrestling/MustafaAli, she immediately gets [[Wrestling/DolphZiggler a Superkick]], [[Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr a 619]], and [[Wrestling/RandyOrton an RKO]] (in that order) for her troubles.
* UnexpectedCharacter: {{Invoked|Trope}}. The event is increasingly sold on the unpredictability of the Rumble's match format leading itself to unexpected entrants – and consequently some of the biggest pops of the entire wrestling year:
** Wrestling/MickFoley in 2004 (at number 21 in place of a knocked-out Test). Subverted by Wrestling/TheUndertaker, who made his presence felt but did not actually appear.
** The early and ultimately victorious returns from injury of both of John Cena (2008, from a torn pectoral muscle, at #30) and Edge (2010, from an achilles injury, at #29) often top lists of surprise entrants. Especially Cena, who nobody thought would be back until after ''[=WrestleMania=]''.
** 2009 had the one-night return of Wrestling/RobVanDam.
** 2011 had Wrestling/BookerT and [[Wrestling/KevinNash Diesel]].
** 2012 had Wrestling/RoadDogg and [[Wrestling/KiaStevens Kharma]]. The latter entered immediately after Michael Cole (the last of the three commentators to enter), who tried to bail... leaving his co-commentators Jerry Lawler and Booker T (both had been eliminated by Cole's entry) wide open to complete the elimination of Cole.
** Wrestling/ChrisJericho, NXT Wrestler Wrestling/BoDallas and [[Wrestling/CharlesWright The Godfather]] in 2013.
** An unexpected non-character in the 2014 Rumble. Fans had been waiting the entire match for [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]] to appear, and after all 30 entrants appeared with no Bryan the fans were ''pissed'', with the fans taking their anger out on poor #30 entrant Rey Mysterio and eventual winner Batista. Wrestling/KevinNash enter the Royal Rumble at #14.
** 2015 had [[Wrestling/TheDudleyBoyz Bubba Ray Dudley]] and Wrestling/{{Boogeyman}}. Bubba Ray, entering at number 3, would subject #1 entry The Miz to two Dudley Boyz signature moves (with #2 entrant R-Truth playing the role of Bubba Ray's usual partner D-Von).
** The 2016 ''Rumble'' had the debut of Wrestling/AJStyles. You could tell that he was the ''last'' person Wrestling/RomanReigns expected to see coming down the ramp.
** Also from the 2016 ''Rumble'', though to a lesser extent, was the recently returned-from-injury Wrestling/SamiZayn. Wrestling/KevinOwens, whose night was already going less-than-ideally (having previously lost a Last Man Standing match earlier that night to eventual runner-up Dean Ambrose), had a minor VillainousBreakdown at that one, which reached its apex when Zayn eliminated him from the match.
** Wrestling/RomanReigns as the last entrant in 2017 in a meta-example, as most fans were expecting either the debut of either Wrestling/SamoaJoe or Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura, or the return of either [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Balor]] or Wrestling/KurtAngle in the famous #30 spot; when Roman's music hit, the fans did ''not'' take it well.
** In 2018, the men's Rumble had [[spoiler:Wrestling/ReyMysterio]], who had shown some vague interest in eventually returning to WWE but not anytime soon, and [[spoiler:[[Wrestling/GregoryHelms The Hurricane]]]], a massive fan favorite from the days of old. To a lesser extent were the entries of NXT Champion Wrestling/AndradeCienAlmas and Wrestling/AdamCole, both of whom had wrestled in absolutely grueling matches at ''NXT [=TakeOver=]: Philadelphia'' the previous night.
** The first women's Rumble in 2018 had a fair few, which was only compounded by the novelty of the event. Among them include Wrestling/TorrieWilson, Wrestling/MollyHolly, NXT Women's Champion Wrestling/EmberMoon, Kairi Sane, Wrestling/{{Lita}}, Wrestling/BethPhoenix and Wrestling/TrishStratus. Lita was an early entry while Trish entered at 30.
** In the 2019 women's Rumble they were mostly from NXT: Xia Li, Wrestling/CandiceLeRae, Kacy Catanzaro, Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley.
** The 2019 men's Rumble had Wrestling/JeffJarrett and NXT wrestlers Wrestling/JohnnyGargano, [[Wrestling/BritishStrongStyle Pete Dunne]] and Wrestling/AleisterBlack. Of course, these were all totally overshadowed by ''Wrestling/NiaJax'' ambushing #30 Wrestling/RTruth and taking his spot in the men's Rumble.
** The IWC typically accepted Edge's denials of a return in late 2019-early 2020 at face value, given his abrupt retirement in 2011 because of fears a single bump gone wrong could easily paralyse him. This only made his return at the 2020 Rumble (entering at number 21) even more shocking (and sweeter), with 40,000 fans in attendance blowing the proverbial roof off. NXT cameos included Wrestling/KeithLee and Wrestling/MattRiddle, and the event also saw the return of Wrestling/MontelVontaviousPorter.
** In the 2020 Women's Rumble, mostly from NXT: Bianca Belair, Wrestling/MercedesMartinez,[[note]]Her case was particularly surprising as her signing with the company was announced only weeks before the Rumble.[[/note]] Mia Yim, Dakota Kai, Chelsea Green, Wrestling/ToniStorm, Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox, alongside legends [[Wrestling/MollyHolly Mighty Molly]] and Wrestling/BethPhoenix. Perhaps the most surprising entrant in that match, however, was the return of Wrestling/SantinoMarella in his long-forgotten "Santina" gimmick, complete with the theme of Billy & Chuck and Rico from the gimmick's first run.
** In the 2021 Men's Rumble had Wrestling/{{Carlito|Colon}}, Wrestling/{{Kane}}, [[Wrestling/GregoryHelms Hurricane Helms]], Wrestling/{{Christian}} (entering at number 24 and reuniting with long-time tag partner and real-life BFF Edge, who entered at number 1), Wrestling/SethRollins and NXT wrestler Damian Priest.
** In the 2021 Women's Rumble had Wrestling/JillianHall, [[Wrestling/LisaMarieVaron Victoria]], Wrestling/AliciaFox, Wrestling/TorrieWilson and Wrestling/MickieJames.
** In the 2022 Women's Rumble had Wrestling/{{Melina}}, Wrestling/{{Cameron}}, Wrestling/{{Ivory}} (in her Wrestling/RightToCensor gimmick nonetheless!), Wrestling/SummerRae, Sarah Logan and Wrestling/RondaRousey. Rousey, entering at 28, went on to win the match.
** In the 2022 Men's Rumble had non-combatant and rapper Music/BadBunny while Wrestling/ShaneMcMahon made his brief in-ring return at the 28th spot (the spot immediately after Bunny, who entered at 27).
** The 2023 Women's Rumble had Wrestling/MichelleMcCool, Chelsea Green and Wrestling/NiaJax, as well as the NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez, Zoey Stark and Indi Hartwell from NXT. Michelle entered from the crowd at 25, Jax entered through a slight timing botch at 30, and Green lasted only four seconds.
** The only real surprise entrant in the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble was Wrestling/BookerT.
** The 2024 Women's Rumble had Wrestling/{{Naomi}}, Jordynne Grace, Jade Cargill and NXT's Tiffany Stratton (entries 2, 5, 28, and 29 respectively). Jade lasted until the final three (with a ''single-handed'' elimination of Jax to her credit) while Naomi (who had previously clashed with Grace while competing under her real name Trinity with TNA) only missed out on the ironwoman title by less than a minute to the victorious number 3 entrant Bayley (both lasting longer than the previous winner Rhea Ripley did).
** The 2024 Men's Rumble saw the return of [[Wrestling/AndradeCienAlmas Andrade]], Bron Breakker, and Omos. Pat [=McAfee=] had the double-whammy of making an unannounced appearance as co-commentator along with Michael Cole and Corey Graves, as well as also being announced as the #22 entrant (who [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere swiftly eliminated himself after realizing he'd be getting in a ring with Bron and Omos]]).
* UniquenessDecay: 2018 had three Royal Rumble matches; the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match and the Greatest Royal Rumble match, along with the usual Men's Royal Rumble match.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The championship belt which was awarded to the winner of the first Greatest Royal Rumble (Wrestling/BraunStrowman), disappeared afterwards and is never mentioned again.
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