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{{Infobox wrestling PPV series|name=Royal Rumble|image=Rrrr15.png|caption=Royal Rumble logo used in 2015|created_by=|brands=[[WWE Raw|Raw]] (2003–2011, 2017–present)<br>[[SmackDown]] (2003–2011, 2017–present)<br>[[ECW (WWE)|ECW]] (2007–2010)<br>[[205 Live]] (2019)|promotions=[[WWE]]|featuredmatches=[[#Match|Royal Rumble match]]|firstevent=[[Royal Rumble (1988)|1988]]|createdby=[[Pat Patterson]]}} |
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The '''Royal Rumble''' is a yearly [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] event, aired every January by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE).<ref name=wwematch>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> The show's main event is a [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]]-type match,<ref name=stats>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|title=Statistical survival - breaking down the Royal Rumble|author=Jon Waldman|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2005-02-02}}</ref> named the Royal Rumble match. The pay-per-view is part of WWE's "Big Four", along with [[WrestleMania]], [[SummerSlam]], and [[Survivor Series]].<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p.160)</ref> The Royal Rumble is also one of WWE's more popular pay-per-views.<ref name=mysterio>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|title=Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again|author= Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2006-01-30}}</ref> |
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Since 1993, the winner of the Rumble match has received a title match at that year's [[WrestleMania]]. |
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The '''Royal Rumble''' is a yearly [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] and [[livestreaming]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] made by [[WWE]], usually in January.<ref name="wwematch">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03|archive-date=2009-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602095804/http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|url-status=dead}}</ref> The show's main event is a [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]]-type match,<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|title=Statistical survival - breaking down the Royal Rumble|author=Jon Waldman|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2005-02-02|archive-date=2005-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310094201/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> named the Royal Rumble match. The pay-per-view is part of WWE's "Big Four", along with [[WrestleMania]], [[SummerSlam]], and [[Survivor Series]].<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p.160)</ref> The Royal Rumble is also one of WWE's more popular pay-per-views.<ref name=mysterio>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|title=Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again|author=Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2006-01-30|archive-date=2015-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419051328/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1993, the winner of the Rumble match has received a title match at that year's WrestleMania.<ref name="about" /> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Match=== |
===Match=== |
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[[Image:Austinentrance.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin]], who holds the current record for most Royal Rumble match wins with three.<ref name="facts" />]]The idea behind the Royal Rumble match is credited to [[Pat Patterson]].<ref name="pat">{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/patpatterson/bio/|title=Hall of Fame: Pat Patterson|accessdate=2007-12-03|publisher= WWE}}</ref> Before the match begins, the contestants draw spots in the Rumble.<ref name="wwematch" /> The match consists of thirty competitors, beginning with the two who chose entry numbers one and two in the ring.<ref name="wwematch" /> At regular timed intervals, usually ninety seconds, one of the remaining 28 wrestlers enters the ring.<ref name="wwematch" /> Participants must eliminate all other opponents, and the winner of the matcht is the last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated.<ref name="wwematch" /><ref name="mysterio" /> |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" align=right style="font-size:85%; line-height:130%; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0;" |
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!Year |
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!Winner |
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!Entry |
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|- |
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|1988 |
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|[[Jim Duggan]] |
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|13 |
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|- |
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|1989 |
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|[[John Studd|Big John Studd]] |
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|27 |
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|- |
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|1990 |
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|[[Hulk Hogan]] |
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|25 |
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|- |
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|1991 |
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|[[Hulk Hogan]] |
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|24 |
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|- |
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|1992 |
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|[[Ric Flair]] |
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|3 |
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|- |
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|1993 |
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|[[Rodney Anoa'i|Yokozuna]] |
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|27 |
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|- |
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|1994 |
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|[[Bret Hart]]<br/>[[Lex Luger]] |
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|27<br/>23 |
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|- |
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|1995 |
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|[[Shawn Michaels]] |
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|1 |
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|- |
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|1996 |
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|[[Shawn Michaels]] |
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|18 |
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|- |
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|1997 |
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|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] |
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|5 |
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|- |
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|1998 |
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|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] |
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|24 |
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|- |
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|1999 |
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|[[Vince McMahon]] |
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|2 |
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|- |
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|2000 |
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|[[The Rock (entertainer)|The Rock]] |
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|24 |
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|- |
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|2001 |
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|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] |
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|27 |
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|- |
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|2002 |
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|[[Triple H]] |
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|22 |
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|- |
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|2003 |
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|[[Brock Lesnar]] |
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|29 |
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|- |
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|2004 |
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|[[Chris Benoit]] |
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|1 |
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|- |
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|2005 |
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|[[Dave Bautista|Batista]] |
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|28 |
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|- |
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|2006 |
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|[[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]] |
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|2 |
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|- |
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|2007 |
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|[[The Undertaker]] |
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|30 |
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|- |
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|2008 |
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|[[John Cena]] |
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|30 |
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|- |
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|2009 |
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|[[Randy Orton]] |
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|8 |
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|- |
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|2010 |
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|[[Edge]] |
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|29 |
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|- |
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|2011 |
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|[[Alberto Del Rio]] |
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|38 |
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|- |
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|2012 |
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|[[Sheamus]] |
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|22 |
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|- |
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|2013 |
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|[[John Cena]] |
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|19 |
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|- |
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|2014 |
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|[[Dave Batista|Batista]] |
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|28 |
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|} |
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Similar to a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]], a wrestler is eliminated when thrown over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor.<ref name=wwematch/><ref name=stats/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/battleroyal|title=Specialty Matches: Battle Royal|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03|archive-date=2008-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329161439/http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/battleroyal|url-status=dead}}</ref> A referee, who is seated at ringside, must see an elimination in order for it to be valid.<ref name=RR97>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1997: Main Event| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03|quote=Stone Cold was actually eliminated during the match, but the referees failed to detect it, so he sneaked back in.}}</ref> A wrestler who is eliminated without a referee noticing may sometimes sneak back into the match. For example, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] was eliminated during the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 event]], but he re-entered without the referees' seeing and eventually won the match.<ref name=RR97/> A wrestler who leaves the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the match. During the [[Royal Rumble (1999)|1999 Rumble match]], both [[Vince McMahon]] and Steve Austin left the ring, only to return later in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1999: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-30}}</ref> In the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]] match, the last two wrestlers, [[Bret Hart]] and [[Lex Luger]] were named co-winners when it was decided that both of their feet touched the floor at the same time.<ref name=RR94>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1994: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref> A similar situation occurred in the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|2005]] match, however the match was restarted after [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] and [[John Cena]] eliminated each other at the same time. Batista eliminated Cena afterwards to win the match.<ref name=RR05>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1995: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-05}}</ref> |
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The idea behind the Royal Rumble match is credited to [[Pat Patterson]].<ref name=pat>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/patpatterson/bio/|title=Hall of Fame: Pat Patterson|accessdate=2007-12-03|publisher= WWE}}</ref> Before the match begins, the contestants draw spots in the Rumble.<ref name=wwematch/> The match consists of thirty men, beginning with the two men who chose entry numbers one and two in the ring.<ref name=wwematch/> At regular timed intervals, usually ninety seconds, one of the remaining 28 wrestlers enters the ring.<ref name=wwematch/> Participants must eliminate all other opponents, and the winner of the event is the last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated.<ref name=wwematch/><ref name=mysterio/> |
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The reward for the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]] was the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]].<ref name=RR92>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1992: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-05}}</ref> This title, now named the WWE Championship, was also the reward for the [[Royal Rumble (2016)|2016 Royal Rumble]].<ref name=RR16>{{cite web|last=Tedesco|first=Mike|date=January 5, 2016|title=WWE Raw Results – 1/4/16 (Reigns vs. Sheamus)|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/57324-wwe-raw-results-1-4-16-live-results-from-san-antonio/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106112538/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/57324-wwe-raw-results-1-4-16-live-results-from-san-antonio/|archive-date=January 6, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2016|work=WrestleView}}</ref> The tradition of granting a WWF/E Championship match at [[WrestleMania]] started in 1993.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thewrestlers/a/rumblewinnerfat.htm|title=The Fate of the Royal Rumble Winner|author=Eric Cohen|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2007-04-25|archive-date=2012-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207050028/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thewrestlers/a/rumblewinnerfat.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beginning in 2004, the winner had their choice of a [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] or WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.<ref name=about/> Because of the revival of the [[ECW Championship]] as a brand championship in mid-2006, the 2007 Rumble added this championship as a choice to the winning wrestler.<ref name=ecwtitle>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02052007/|title=Tickets punched for WrestleMania|author=Brett Hoffman|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-12-05|date=2007-02-05}}</ref> From 2001 to 2007 the Royal Rumble match winner has gone on to win a World Championship title at WrestleMania.<ref name=facts/> After winning the 2008 match, [[John Cena]] became the first to use his championship opportunity at an event other than WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/preview/|accessdate=2008-01-28|title=Randy Orton vs. John Cena (WWE Championship match): A battle for redemption with 'Mania implications|publisher=WWE|date=2008-01-28}}</ref> He also became the first man since 2000 to win the Royal Rumble match but fail to win the title in his championship opportunity as a result. |
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Similar to a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]], a wrestler is eliminated when thrown over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor.<ref name=wwematch/><ref name=stats/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/battleroyal|title=Specialty Matches: Battle Royal|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> A referee, who is seated at ringside, must see an elimination in order for it to be valid.<ref name=RR97>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1997: Main Event| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-03|quote=Stone Cold was actually eliminated during the match, but the referees failed to detect it, so he sneaked back in.}}</ref> A wrestler who is eliminated without a referee noticing may sometimes sneak back into the match. For example, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] was eliminated during the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 event]], but he re-entered without the referees' seeing and eventually won the match.<ref name=RR97/> A wrestler who leaves the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the match. During the [[Royal Rumble (1999)|1999 Rumble match]], both [[Vince McMahon]] and Steve Austin left the ring, only to return later in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1999: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-30}}</ref> In the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]] match, the last two wrestlers, [[Bret Hart]] and [[Lex Luger]] were declared co-winners when it was decided that both of their feet touched the floor at the same time.<ref name=RR94>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1994: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref> A similar situation occurred in the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|2005]] match, however the match was restarted after [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] and [[John Cena]] eliminated each other at the same time. Batista eliminated Cena afterwards to win the match.<ref name=RR05>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1995: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-05}}</ref> |
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Since [[Royal Rumble (2018)|2018]] there also is a women's Royal Rumble match, where the winner can challenge for the [[WWE Women's Championship]] or the [[Women's World Championship (WWE)|Women's World Championship]] at that year's WrestleMania. The first one was won by [[Asuka]].<ref name="WomenRumble">{{cite web|author=WWE.com Staff|date=December 18, 2017|title=The first-ever 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match?sf176733324=1|access-date=December 1, 2021|work=[[WWE]].com}}</ref> |
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The reward for the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]] was the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]].<ref name=RR92>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1992: Main Event|publisher=WWE|accessdate= 2007-12-05}}</ref> The tradition of granting a [[WWE Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania]] started in 1993.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url= http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thewrestlers/a/rumblewinnerfat.htm|title=The Fate of the Royal Rumble Winner|author=Eric Cohen|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2007-04-25}}</ref> Beginning in 2004, the winner had their choice of a [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] or WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.<ref name=about/> Due to the revival of the [[ECW Championship|ECW World Championship]] as a brand championship in mid-2006, the 2007 Rumble added this championship as a choice to the winning wrestler.<ref name=ecwtitle>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02052007/|title=Tickets punched for WrestleMania|author=Brett Hoffman|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-12-05|date=2007-02-05}}</ref> From 2001 to 2007 the Royal Rumble match winner has gone on to win a World Championship title at WrestleMania.<ref name=facts/> After winning the 2008 match, [[John Cena]] became the first to use his championship opportunity at an event other than WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6235888/preview/|accessdate=2008-01-28|title=Randy Orton vs. John Cena (WWE Championship match): A battle for redemption with 'Mania implications|publisher=WWE|date=2008-01-28}}</ref> He also became the first man since 2000 to win the Royal Rumble match but fail to win the title in his championship opportunity as a result. |
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===Pay-per-view=== |
===Pay-per-view=== |
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The Royal Rumble is a [[pay-per-view]] consisting of the Royal Rumble match, championship matches, and various other matches. The first Royal Rumble took place on |
The Royal Rumble is a [[pay-per-view]] consisting of the Royal Rumble match, championship matches, and various other matches. The first Royal Rumble took place on January 24, 1988 and was broadcast live on the [[USA Network]].<ref name=RF161/> The following year, the event became a pay-per-view.<ref name=pwh>{{cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#89|title=Royal Rumble results|publisher= ProWrestlingHistory.com|accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref> It is part of WWE's "classic five" pay-per-views, along with [[WrestleMania]], [[Survivor Series]], [[SummerSlam]], and [[King of the Ring]].<ref name=Main166>Brian Shields. ''Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s'' (p.166)</ref> |
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The Royal Rumble match is usually at the top of the [[List of professional wrestling slang#C|card]].<ref name=guard>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|title=Old guard dominates Rumble| |
The Royal Rumble match is usually at the top of the [[List of professional wrestling slang#C|card]].<ref name=guard>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|title=Old guard dominates Rumble|author=Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-09|date=2007-01-29|archive-date=2012-07-24|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724024349/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, it is not always the case, as the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|2006 event]] had the match in the middle of the pay-per-view.<ref name=guard/> |
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The first Rumble match featured only twenty men,<ref name=RR88>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1988: Main Event|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> and it was called the Rumble Royale.<ref name=RF161>Ric Flair. ''Ric Flair: To Be the Man'' (p.161)</ref> It lasted about 33 minutes of the 2-hour broadcast.<ref name=facts>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/facts/|title=Royal Rumble: Facts & Figures|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> Today, Rumble matches are much longer, with the longest match |
The first Rumble match featured only twenty men,<ref name=RR88>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1988: Main Event|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> and it was called the Rumble Royale.<ref name=RF161>Ric Flair. ''Ric Flair: To Be the Man'' (p.161)</ref> It lasted about 33 minutes of the 2-hour broadcast.<ref name=facts>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/facts/|title=Royal Rumble: Facts & Figures|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref> Today, Rumble matches are much longer, with the longest match happening at the [[Greatest Royal Rumble]] (the only edition to have 50 men enter the match), lasting one hour and 17 minutes of a five-hour event.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 April 2018|title=Powell's WWE Greatest Royal Rumble live review: 50-man Royal Rumble match, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns in a cage match for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, John Cena vs. Triple H, Undertaker vs. Rusev in a casket match - Pro Wrestling Dot Net|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/27/powells-wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-live-review-50-man-royal-rumble-match-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-in-a-cage-match-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-ww/}}</ref> |
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With the [[WWE Brand Extension|brand extension]] introduced in mid-2002, the 30 entrants from 2003 to 2006 had 15 wrestlers from both the [[WWE Raw|RAW]] and [[WWE |
With the [[WWE Brand Extension|brand extension]] introduced in mid-2002, the 30 entrants from 2003 to 2006 had 15 wrestlers from both the [[WWE Raw|RAW]] and [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]] brands. At first, the winner of the match received a shot at his brand's championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/01/26/325195.html|title=Benoit wins the 'Rumble'|author=John Powell|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-23|date=2004-01-26|archive-date=2015-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419001706/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/01/26/325195.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Starting in 2004, the Rumble winner had the option of challenging either brand's champion.<ref name=about/> For instance, [[Chris Benoit]] switched brands in 2004 and won the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=about/> The 2007 Royal Rumble marked the first year participants from the [[ECW (WWE)|ECW]] brand competed along with the RAW and SmackDown! brands.<ref name=RR07>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2007/matches/35535102/results/|title=A Phenom-enal Rumble|author=Louie Dee|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-12-05|date=2007-01-28}}</ref> The winner of the Royal Rumble now had the option to challenge for the ECW Championship as well.<ref name=ecwtitle/> |
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The [[Royal Rumble (2008)|2008 Royal Rumble]] was the first WWE pay-per-view to be aired in [[High-definition television|HD]].<ref name=rrhd>{{cite web| url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehdfaqs|title=How do I get WWE HD on my HDTV?|last=Clayton|first= Cory|accessdate=2008-01-20|publisher=WWE}}</ref> |
The [[Royal Rumble (2008)|2008 Royal Rumble]] was the first WWE pay-per-view to be aired in [[High-definition television|HD]].<ref name=rrhd>{{cite web| url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehdfaqs|title=How do I get WWE HD on my HDTV?|last=Clayton|first= Cory|accessdate=2008-01-20|publisher=WWE}}</ref> |
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==Dates and venues== |
==Dates and venues== |
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[[Image:Austinentrance.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Steve Austin holds the current record for most Royal Rumble match wins with three.<ref name=facts/>]] |
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{| class="wikitable" align="center" cellpadding="2" align="center" |
{| class="wikitable" align="center" cellpadding="2" align="center" |
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!Event |
!Event |
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| Line 142: | Line 30: | ||
!City |
!City |
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!Venue |
!Venue |
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!Winner |
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!Entry |
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|- |
|- |
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|[[Royal Rumble (1988)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1988)]] |
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| |
|January 24, 1988 |
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|[[Hamilton, Ontario]] |
|[[Hamilton, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |
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|[[Copps Coliseum]] |
|[[Copps Coliseum]] |
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|[[Jim Duggan]] |
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|13 |
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|- |
|- |
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|[[Royal Rumble (1989)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1989)]] |
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| |
|January 15, 1989 |
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|[[Houston, Texas]] |
|[[Houston]], [[Texas]] |
||
|[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]] |
|[[Lakewood Church Central Campus|The Summit]] |
||
|[[John Studd|Big John Studd]] |
|||
|27 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1990)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1990)]] |
||
| |
|January 21, 1990 |
||
|[[Orlando, Florida]] |
|[[Orlando, Florida]] |
||
|[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]] |
|[[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]] |
||
| rowspan="2" |[[Hulk Hogan]] |
|||
|25 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1991)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1991)]] |
||
| |
|January 19, 1991 |
||
|[[Miami, Florida]] |
|[[Miami]], [[Florida]] |
||
|[[Miami Arena]] |
|[[Miami Arena]] |
||
|24 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1992)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1992)]] |
||
| |
|January 19, 1992 |
||
|[[Albany, New York]] |
|[[Albany, New York]] |
||
|[[Times Union Center|Knickerbocker Arena]] |
|[[Times Union Center|Knickerbocker Arena]] |
||
|[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
|3 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1993)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1993)]] |
||
| |
|January 24, 1993 |
||
|[[Sacramento, California]] |
|[[Sacramento, California]] |
||
|[[Sleep Train Arena|ARCO Arena]] |
|[[Sleep Train Arena|ARCO Arena]] |
||
|[[Rodney Anoa'i|Yokozuna]] |
|||
|27 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1994)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1994)]] |
||
| |
|January 22, 1994 |
||
|[[Providence, Rhode Island]] |
|[[Providence, Rhode Island]] |
||
|[[Dunkin' Donuts Center|Providence Civic Center]] |
|[[Dunkin' Donuts Center|Providence Civic Center]] |
||
|[[Bret Hart]] |
|||
[[Lex Luger]]{{Efn|Both Hart and Luger landed on the floor at the same time which ended the match. Two referees argued about who had landed first. WWF President [[Jack Tunney]] then came to the ring and named both men co-winners. This was the only time so far a Royal Rumble match had two winners.}} |
|||
|27 |
|||
23 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1995)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1995)]] |
||
| |
|January 22, 1995 |
||
|[[Tampa, Florida]] |
|[[Tampa, Florida]] |
||
|[[USF Sun Dome]] |
|[[USF Sun Dome]] |
||
| rowspan="2" |[[Shawn Michaels]] |
|||
|1 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1996)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1996)]] |
||
| |
|January 21, 1996 |
||
|[[Fresno, California]] |
|[[Fresno, California]] |
||
|[[Selland Arena]] |
|[[Selland Arena]] |
||
|18 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1997)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1997)]] |
||
| |
|January 19, 1997 |
||
|[[San Antonio, Texas]] |
|[[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]][[San Antonio, Texas|,]] [[Texas]] |
||
|[[Alamodome]] |
|[[Alamodome]] |
||
| rowspan="2" |[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] |
|||
|5 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1998)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1998)]] |
||
| |
|January 18, 1998 |
||
|[[San Jose, California]] |
|[[San Jose, California]] |
||
|[[HP Pavilion at San Jose|San Jose Arena]] |
|[[HP Pavilion at San Jose|San Jose Arena]] |
||
|24 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (1999)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (1999)]] |
||
| |
|January 24, 1999 |
||
|[[Anaheim, California]] |
|[[Anaheim, California]] |
||
|[[Honda Center|Arrowhead Pond]] |
|[[Honda Center|Arrowhead Pond]] |
||
|[[Vince McMahon]] |
|||
|2 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2000)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2000)]] |
||
| |
|January 23, 2000 |
||
|[[New York City|New York, New York]] |
|[[New York City|New York,]] [[New York (state)|New York]] |
||
|[[Madison Square Garden]] |
|[[Madison Square Garden]] |
||
|[[The Rock (entertainer)|The Rock]] |
|||
|24 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2001)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2001)]] |
||
| |
|January 21, 2001 |
||
|[[New Orleans, Louisiana]] |
|[[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] |
||
|[[New Orleans Arena]] |
|[[Smoothie King Center|New Orleans Arena]] |
||
|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] |
|||
|27 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2002)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2002)]] |
||
| |
|January 20, 2002 |
||
|[[Atlanta, Georgia]] |
|[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]][[Atlanta, Georgia|,]] [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] |
||
|[[Philips Arena]] |
|[[State Farm Arena|Philips Arena]] |
||
|[[Triple H]] |
|||
|22 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2003)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2003)]] |
||
| |
|January 19, 2003 |
||
|[[Boston, Massachusetts]] |
|[[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]][[Boston, Massachusetts|,]] [[Massachusetts]] |
||
|[[TD Garden|Fleet Center]] |
|[[TD Garden|Fleet Center]] |
||
|[[Brock Lesnar]] |
|||
|29 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2004)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2004)]] |
||
| |
|January 25, 2004 |
||
|[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] |
|[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia,]] [[Pennsylvania]] |
||
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wachovia Center]] |
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wachovia Center]] |
||
|[[Chris Benoit]] |
|||
|1 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2005)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2005)]] |
||
| |
|January 30, 2005 |
||
|[[Fresno, California]] |
|[[Fresno, California]] |
||
|[[Save Mart Center]] |
|[[Save Mart Center]] |
||
|[[Dave Bautista|Batista]] |
|||
|28 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2006)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2006)]] |
||
| |
|January 29, 2006 |
||
|[[Miami, Florida]] |
|[[Miami]], [[Florida]] |
||
|[[AmericanAirlines Arena]] |
|[[AmericanAirlines Arena]] |
||
|[[Rey Mysterio]] |
|||
|2 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2007)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2007)]] |
||
| |
|January 28, 2007 |
||
|[[San Antonio, Texas]] |
|[[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]][[San Antonio, Texas|,]] [[Texas]] |
||
|[[AT&T Center]] |
|[[AT&T Center]] |
||
|[[The Undertaker]] |
|||
|30 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2008)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2008)]] |
||
| |
|January 27, 2008 |
||
|[[New York City|New York, New York]] |
|[[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]] |
||
|[[Madison Square Garden]] |
|[[Madison Square Garden]] |
||
|[[John Cena]] |
|||
|30 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2009)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2009)]] |
||
| |
|January 25, 2009 |
||
|[[Detroit, Michigan]] |
|[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] |
||
|[[Joe Louis Arena]] |
|[[Joe Louis Arena]] |
||
|[[Randy Orton]] |
|||
|8 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2010)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2010)]] |
||
| |
|January 31, 2010 |
||
|Atlanta, Georgia |
|[[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] |
||
|Philips Arena |
|[[State Farm Arena|Philips Arena]] |
||
|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] |
|||
|29 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2011)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2011)]] |
||
| |
|January 30, 2011 |
||
|[[Boston, Massachusetts]] |
|[[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] |
||
|[[TD Garden]] |
|[[TD Garden]] |
||
|[[Alberto Del Rio]] |
|||
|38 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2012)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2012)]] |
||
| |
|January 29, 2012 |
||
|[[St. Louis, Missouri]] |
|[[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]][[St. Louis, Missouri|,]] [[Missouri]] |
||
|[[Scottrade Center]] |
|[[Enterprise Center|Scottrade Center]] |
||
|[[Sheamus]] |
|||
|22 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2013)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2013)]] |
||
| |
|January 27, 2013 |
||
|[[Phoenix, Arizona]] |
|[[Phoenix, Arizona]] |
||
|[[US Airways Center]] |
|[[US Airways Center]] |
||
|[[John Cena]] |
|||
|19 |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[Royal Rumble (2014)]] |
|[[Royal Rumble (2014)]] |
||
| |
|January 26, 2014 |
||
|[[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] |
|[[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] |
||
|[[Consol Energy Center]] |
|[[Consol Energy Center]] |
||
|[[Dave Bautista|Batista]] |
|||
|28 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2015)]] |
|||
|January 25, 2015 |
|||
|[[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]][[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|,]] [[Pennsylvania]] |
|||
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] |
|||
|[[Roman Reigns]] |
|||
|19 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2016)]] |
|||
|January 24, 2016 |
|||
|[[Orlando, Florida]] |
|||
|[[Kia Center|Amway Center]] |
|||
|[[Triple H]] |
|||
|30 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2017)]] |
|||
|January 29, 2017 |
|||
|[[San Antonio]], [[Texas]] |
|||
|[[Alamodome]] |
|||
|[[Randy Orton]] |
|||
|23 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2018)]] |
|||
|January 28, 2018 |
|||
|[[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] |
|||
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] |
|||
|[[Shinsuke Nakamura]] |
|||
[[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] |
|||
|14 |
|||
25 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Greatest Royal Rumble]] |
|||
|April 27, 2018 |
|||
|[[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |
|||
|[[King Abdullah International Stadium]] |
|||
|[[Braun Strowman]] |
|||
|41 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2019)]] |
|||
|January 27, 2019 |
|||
|[[Phoenix, Arizona]] |
|||
|[[Chase Field]] |
|||
|[[Becky Lynch]] |
|||
[[Seth Rollins]] |
|||
|28 |
|||
10 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2020)]] |
|||
|January 26, 2020 |
|||
|[[Houston]], [[Texas]] |
|||
|[[Minute Maid Park]] |
|||
|[[Becky Lynch|Charlotte Flair]] |
|||
[[Drew McIntyre]] |
|||
|17 |
|||
16 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2021)]] |
|||
|January 31, 2021 |
|||
|[[St. Petersburg, Florida]] |
|||
|WWE ThunderDome at [[Tropicana Field]] |
|||
|[[Seth Rollins|Bianca Belair]] |
|||
[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] |
|||
|3 |
|||
1 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2022)]] |
|||
|January 29, 2022 |
|||
|[[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]] |
|||
|[[The Dome at America's Center]] |
|||
|[[Charlotte Flair|Ronda Rousey]] |
|||
[[Brock Lesnar]] |
|||
|28 |
|||
30 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2023)]] |
|||
|January 28, 2023 |
|||
|[[San Antonio]], [[Texas]] |
|||
|[[Alamodome]] |
|||
|[[Rhea Ripley]] |
|||
[[Cody Rhodes]] |
|||
|1 |
|||
30 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2024)]] |
|||
|January 27, 2024 |
|||
|[[St. Petersburg, Florida]] |
|||
|[[Tropicana Field]] |
|||
|[[Bayley]] |
|||
[[Cody Rhodes]] |
|||
|3 |
|||
15 |
|||
|- |
|||
|[[Royal Rumble (2025)]] |
|||
|February 1, 2025 |
|||
|[[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] |
|||
|[[Lucas Oil Stadium]] |
|||
| |
|||
| |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
==Video box set== |
==Video box set== |
||
On March 13, 2007, WWE released a full [[DVD]] box |
On March 13, 2007, WWE released a full [[DVD]] [[box-set]] called ''Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology'', which showcases every Royal Rumble event in its entirety.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shop/dvd/royalrumbledvd|title=Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology Box Set|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-01-18|archive-date=2007-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117121402/http://www.wwe.com/shop/dvd/royalrumbledvd|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
||
==Footnotes== |
== Footnotes == |
||
{{ |
{{Notelist}} |
||
== |
==References== |
||
'''General''' |
{{Reflist|2}}'''General''' |
||
*{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#89|title=Royal Rumble results|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com|accessdate=2007-12-05}} |
*{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#89|title=Royal Rumble results|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com|accessdate=2007-12-05}} |
||
*{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm |
*{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm|title=Royal Rumble History|author=Eric Cohen|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2007-12-09|archive-date=2008-12-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208114111/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm|url-status=dead}} |
||
'''Specific''' |
'''Specific''' |
||
*{{cite book|author=Ian Hamilton|title=Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition|isbn= 1411612108|publisher=Lulu.com|date=2006}} |
*{{cite book|author=Ian Hamilton|title=Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlingssinkin0000ianh|isbn= 1411612108|publisher=Lulu.com|date=2006}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Ric Flair|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2004|isbn=0743456912}} |
*{{cite book|author=Ric Flair|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|url=https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman0000flai|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2004|isbn=0743456912}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2006|isbn=1416532579}} |
*{{cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2006|isbn=1416532579}} |
||
==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
||
*{{cite book|author=Harley Race and Gerry Tritz|title=King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story|publisher=Sports Publishing| date=2004|isbn=1582618186}} |
*{{cite book|author=Harley Race and Gerry Tritz|title=King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story|publisher=Sports Publishing| date=2004|isbn=1582618186}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Ross Davies|title=Kevin Nash|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|date=2002|isbn=0823934926}} |
*{{cite book|author=Ross Davies|title=Kevin Nash|url=https://archive.org/details/kevinnash0000davi_v5c3|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|date=2002|isbn=0823934926}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Dave Meltzer|title=Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|date=2004|isbn=1582618178}} |
*{{cite book|author=Dave Meltzer|title=Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers|url=https://archive.org/details/tributesii00dave|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|date=2004|isbn=1582618178}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|publisher=ECW Press|date=2006|isbn=1550227262}} |
*{{cite book|author=Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|url=https://archive.org/details/betweenropeswres0000frit|publisher=ECW Press|date=2006|isbn=1550227262}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Steve Austin and Jim Ross|title=The Stone Cold Truth|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2003|isbn=0743477200}} |
*{{cite book|author=Steve Austin and Jim Ross|title=The Stone Cold Truth|url=https://archive.org/details/stonecoldtruth00aust|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2003|isbn=0743477200}} |
||
*{{cite book|author=Scott Keith|title=Wrestling's One Ring Circus: The Death of the World Wrestling Federation|publisher=Citadel Press|date=2004|isbn=080652619X}} |
*{{cite book|author=Scott Keith|title=Wrestling's One Ring Circus: The Death of the World Wrestling Federation|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlingsonerin0000keit|publisher=Citadel Press|date=2004|isbn=080652619X}} |
||
== Other websites == |
== Other websites == |
||
*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/ Official Royal Rumble Website] |
*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/ Official Royal Rumble Website] |
||
*[http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble WWE.com: Royal Rumble match description] |
*[http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble WWE.com: Royal Rumble match description] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602095804/http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble |date=2009-06-02 }} |
||
*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/facts/ WWE.com: Royal Rumble Facts & Figures] |
*[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/facts/ WWE.com: Royal Rumble Facts & Figures] |
||
*[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm Royal Rumble History at About.com] |
*[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm Royal Rumble History at About.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208114111/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm |date=2008-12-08 }} |
||
{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}} |
{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}} |
||
| Line 314: | Line 355: | ||
[[Category:1988 establishments]] |
[[Category:1988 establishments]] |
||
[[Category:Royal Rumble| ]] |
[[Category:Royal Rumble| ]] |
||
[[Category:January events]] |
|||
{{Link FL|en}} |
|||
Latest revision as of 16:55, 30 October 2024
| Royal Rumble | |
|---|---|
 Royal Rumble logo used in 2015 | |
| Information | |
| Created by | Pat Patterson |
| Promotion(s) | WWE |
| Brand(s) | Raw (2003–2011, 2017–present) SmackDown (2003–2011, 2017–present) ECW (2007–2010) 205 Live (2019) |
| First event | 1988 |
| Signature match types | Royal Rumble match |
The Royal Rumble is a yearly professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event made by WWE, usually in January.[1] The show's main event is a Battle Royal-type match,[2] named the Royal Rumble match. The pay-per-view is part of WWE's "Big Four", along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series.[3] The Royal Rumble is also one of WWE's more popular pay-per-views.[4] Since 1993, the winner of the Rumble match has received a title match at that year's WrestleMania.[5]
History
[change | change source]Match
[change | change source]
The idea behind the Royal Rumble match is credited to Pat Patterson.[7] Before the match begins, the contestants draw spots in the Rumble.[1] The match consists of thirty competitors, beginning with the two who chose entry numbers one and two in the ring.[1] At regular timed intervals, usually ninety seconds, one of the remaining 28 wrestlers enters the ring.[1] Participants must eliminate all other opponents, and the winner of the matcht is the last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated.[1][4]
Similar to a Battle Royal, a wrestler is eliminated when thrown over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor.[1][2][8] A referee, who is seated at ringside, must see an elimination in order for it to be valid.[9] A wrestler who is eliminated without a referee noticing may sometimes sneak back into the match. For example, Stone Cold Steve Austin was eliminated during the 1997 event, but he re-entered without the referees' seeing and eventually won the match.[9] A wrestler who leaves the ring without going over the top rope is not eliminated from the match. During the 1999 Rumble match, both Vince McMahon and Steve Austin left the ring, only to return later in the match.[10] In the 1994 match, the last two wrestlers, Bret Hart and Lex Luger were named co-winners when it was decided that both of their feet touched the floor at the same time.[11] A similar situation occurred in the 2005 match, however the match was restarted after Batista and John Cena eliminated each other at the same time. Batista eliminated Cena afterwards to win the match.[12]
The reward for the 1992 Royal Rumble was the WWF Championship.[13] This title, now named the WWE Championship, was also the reward for the 2016 Royal Rumble.[14] The tradition of granting a WWF/E Championship match at WrestleMania started in 1993.[5] Beginning in 2004, the winner had their choice of a World Heavyweight Championship or WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.[5] Because of the revival of the ECW Championship as a brand championship in mid-2006, the 2007 Rumble added this championship as a choice to the winning wrestler.[15] From 2001 to 2007 the Royal Rumble match winner has gone on to win a World Championship title at WrestleMania.[6] After winning the 2008 match, John Cena became the first to use his championship opportunity at an event other than WrestleMania.[16] He also became the first man since 2000 to win the Royal Rumble match but fail to win the title in his championship opportunity as a result.
Since 2018 there also is a women's Royal Rumble match, where the winner can challenge for the WWE Women's Championship or the Women's World Championship at that year's WrestleMania. The first one was won by Asuka.[17]
Pay-per-view
[change | change source]The Royal Rumble is a pay-per-view consisting of the Royal Rumble match, championship matches, and various other matches. The first Royal Rumble took place on January 24, 1988 and was broadcast live on the USA Network.[18] The following year, the event became a pay-per-view.[19] It is part of WWE's "classic five" pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania, Survivor Series, SummerSlam, and King of the Ring.[20]
The Royal Rumble match is usually at the top of the card.[21] However, it is not always the case, as the 2006 event had the match in the middle of the pay-per-view.[21]
The first Rumble match featured only twenty men,[22] and it was called the Rumble Royale.[18] It lasted about 33 minutes of the 2-hour broadcast.[6] Today, Rumble matches are much longer, with the longest match happening at the Greatest Royal Rumble (the only edition to have 50 men enter the match), lasting one hour and 17 minutes of a five-hour event.[23]
With the brand extension introduced in mid-2002, the 30 entrants from 2003 to 2006 had 15 wrestlers from both the RAW and SmackDown! brands. At first, the winner of the match received a shot at his brand's championship.[24] Starting in 2004, the Rumble winner had the option of challenging either brand's champion.[5] For instance, Chris Benoit switched brands in 2004 and won the World Heavyweight Championship.[5] The 2007 Royal Rumble marked the first year participants from the ECW brand competed along with the RAW and SmackDown! brands.[25] The winner of the Royal Rumble now had the option to challenge for the ECW Championship as well.[15]
The 2008 Royal Rumble was the first WWE pay-per-view to be aired in HD.[26]
Dates and venues
[change | change source]Video box set
[change | change source]On March 13, 2007, WWE released a full DVD box-set called Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology, which showcases every Royal Rumble event in its entirety.[27]
Footnotes
[change | change source]- ↑ Both Hart and Luger landed on the floor at the same time which ended the match. Two referees argued about who had landed first. WWF President Jack Tunney then came to the ring and named both men co-winners. This was the only time so far a Royal Rumble match had two winners.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble". WWE. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jon Waldman (2005-02-02). "Statistical survival - breaking down the Royal Rumble". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2005-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ↑ Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition (p.160)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk (2006-01-30). "Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Eric Cohen (2007-04-25). "The Fate of the Royal Rumble Winner". About.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Royal Rumble: Facts & Figures". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
- ↑ "Hall of Fame: Pat Patterson". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ↑ "Specialty Matches: Battle Royal". WWE. Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Royal Rumble 1997: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
Stone Cold was actually eliminated during the match, but the referees failed to detect it, so he sneaked back in.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble 1999: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble 1994: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble 1995: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble 1992: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ Tedesco, Mike (January 5, 2016). "WWE Raw Results – 1/4/16 (Reigns vs. Sheamus)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Brett Hoffman (2007-02-05). "Tickets punched for WrestleMania". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ "Randy Orton vs. John Cena (WWE Championship match): A battle for redemption with 'Mania implications". WWE. 2008-01-28. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
- ↑ WWE.com Staff (December 18, 2017). "The first-ever 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match". WWE.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ric Flair. Ric Flair: To Be the Man (p.161)
- ↑ "Royal Rumble results". ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ Brian Shields. Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s (p.166)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk (2007-01-29). "Old guard dominates Rumble". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble 1988: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
- ↑ "Powell's WWE Greatest Royal Rumble live review: 50-man Royal Rumble match, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns in a cage match for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, John Cena vs. Triple H, Undertaker vs. Rusev in a casket match - Pro Wrestling Dot Net". 27 April 2018.
- ↑ John Powell (2004-01-26). "Benoit wins the 'Rumble'". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ↑ Louie Dee (2007-01-28). "A Phenom-enal Rumble". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- ↑ Clayton, Cory. "How do I get WWE HD on my HDTV?". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
- ↑ "Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology Box Set". WWE. Archived from the original on 2007-01-17. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
General
- "Royal Rumble results". ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
- Eric Cohen. "Royal Rumble History". About.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
Specific
- Ian Hamilton (2006). Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition. Lulu.com. ISBN 1411612108.
- Ric Flair (2004). Ric Flair: To Be the Man. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0743456912.
- Brian Shields (2006). Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 1416532579.
Further reading
[change | change source]- Harley Race and Gerry Tritz (2004). King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story. Sports Publishing. ISBN 1582618186.
- Ross Davies (2002). Kevin Nash. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 0823934926.
- Dave Meltzer (2004). Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 1582618178.
- Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray (2006). Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures. ECW Press. ISBN 1550227262.
- Steve Austin and Jim Ross (2003). The Stone Cold Truth. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0743477200.
- Scott Keith (2004). Wrestling's One Ring Circus: The Death of the World Wrestling Federation. Citadel Press. ISBN 080652619X.