The Royal Rumble is one of the most iconic events in professional wrestling, featuring a match where 30 Superstars enter the ring at timed intervals and try to eliminate each other until only one remains. Over the years, there have been many memorable Royal Rumble wins, but here are the top 9:
Stone Cold Steve Austin (1997): Austin’s win in 1997 is widely considered one of the greatest Royal Rumble moments of all time. He entered the match as the fifth participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated Bret Hart to win the match. This win helped establish Austin as one of the top stars in the WWE and set the stage for his run as WWE Champion.
Shawn Michaels (1995): Michaels’ win in 1995 was a major turning point in his career. He entered the match as the first participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated British Bulldog to win the match. This win helped establish Michaels as a main-event player and set the stage for his eventual rise to the top of the WWE.
Rey Mysterio (2006): Rey Mysterio’s win in 2006 was a major upset and a historic moment. He entered the match as the second participant and lasted until the final two when he eliminated Randy Orton to win the match. This win made Mysterio the first-ever winner of the Royal Rumble from the #2 entry position, and the first wrestler of Hispanic descent to win the match.
Vince McMahon (1999): Vince McMahon’s win in 1999 was a major shock and a memorable moment. He entered the match as the second-to-last participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the match. This win helped establish McMahon as a top heel and set the stage for his ongoing feud with Austin.
John Cena (2008): John Cena’s win in 2008 was a defining moment in his career. He entered the match as the 30th participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated Triple H to win the match. This win helped establish Cena as the top babyface in the WWE and set the stage for his continued dominance in the company.
Ric Flair (1992): Ric Flair’s win in 1992 was a major achievement and a historic moment. He entered the match as the third participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated Sid Justice to win the match. This win made Flair the first-ever two-time winner of the Royal Rumble and cemented his status as one of the all-time greats.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan (1988): Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s win in 1988 was a major surprise and a memorable moment. He entered the match as the second participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated One Man Gang to win the match. This win helped establish Duggan as a top babyface and set the stage for his continued popularity in the WWE.
Randy Savage (1989): Randy Savage’s win in 1989 was a major achievement and a memorable moment. He entered the match as the third participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated Hulk Hogan to win the match. This win helped establish Savage as a top babyface and set the stage for his eventual rise to the top of the WWE.
Batista (2005): Batista’s win in 2005 was a major achievement and a defining moment in his career. He entered the match as the 28th participant and lasted until the final two, where he eliminated John Cena to win the match. This win helped establish Batista as a top babyface and set the stage for his eventual rise to the top of the WWE and several World championship reigns.
These top 9 Royal Rumble wins have all been significant moments in wrestling history and have defined the careers of many wrestlers. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s win in 1997, for example, marked the beginning of his rise to the top of the WWE and cemented his status as one of the greatest of all time. Similarly, Rey Mysterio’s win in 2006 was a historic moment as he became the first-ever winner from the #2 entry position and the first Hispanic wrestler to win the match.
Shawn Michaels’ win in 1995 was a major turning point in his career and set the stage for his rise to the top of the WWE, while Vince McMahon’s win in 1999 helped establish him as a top heel in the company. John Cena’s win in 2008 cemented his status as the top babyface in the WWE, and Ric Flair’s win in 1992 made him the first-ever two-time winner of the Royal Rumble.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s win in 1988 was a major surprise and helped establish him as a top babyface, while Chris Benoit’s win in 2004 made him the first-ever winner from the #1 entry position. Randy Savage’s win in 1989 helped establish him as a top babyface, and Batista’s win in 2005 set the stage for his rise to the top of the WWE.
Overall, these top 9 Royal Rumble wins have all been significant moments in wrestling history and have defined the careers of many wrestlers. They have also created some of the most memorable moments in the history of the event and will be forever etched in the minds of wrestling fans.