For a wrestling fan, January is basically a second Christmas due to one thing getting us excited, the Royal Rumble. For those that don’t know, every January an event called the Royal Rumble happens, specifically the match where thirty men fight to throw each other over the top rope to eliminate each other. The last man standing wins a championship match at WrestleMania. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for wrestling fans, you never know who’ll show up to the Rumble. The last few days I watched every single Royal Rumble match while preparing for this year’s match to see what I believe to be the very best of the battle royale. Before I do my Top 10, I want to start with some honorable and dishonorable mentions that I’d like to point out. So with that in mind, let’s get this started.
Honorable and Dishonorable Mentions
The Worst of the Worst: 1994, 2015, 2022, etc.
Yeah let’s get these out the way, these matches SUCK, 1994 I consider to be the very worst due to the lack of talent because of the steroid scandal at the time, the shitty ending doesn’t help. 2015 has Roman Reigns winning while spitting in the faces of Daniel Bryan and the fans, 2022 was the Bork Lesnor show, and others like 2011 were just painfully boring.
Rise of the Women’s Division
I think since they started, the Women’s Rumble matches have been consistently good, far from perfect, but I’ve yet to see a bad match. The Women’s division has evolved so far from the days of the Divas and the Royal Rumble has definitely helped with that.
Didn’t Crack the Top 10
I wanna briefly talk about the matches that didn’t reach my Top 10. 2010, 2012, and 2013 were fun, 1997 and 1998 were very action packed, and 2020 was hilariously structured and ended up being great.
Reign of the 00s
One last thing, you'll notice this list is mainly made of the 00 Royal Rumble matches, that's because I consider them to be the best in overall quality and have the best, pacing, action, and comedy.
We start with a goodie, from the beginning to the end this match was very action packed, HBK getting screwed by Y2J only to come back and screw him, this would eventually lead to their excellent WrestleMania 19 matchup. I do have to point out the botch that led to Christopher Nowinski’s career being stopped due to CTE, even though it possibly helped advance CTE research considerably. Points to John Cena wearing the classic Astros jersey, but it’s weird seeing him in jeans lol. But of course we can’t talk about 2003 without mentioning Brock Lesnar and him clearing the ring and eventually winning. This is obviously his best win since he was so damn dominant around this time and being pushed to be the next big thing.
9. Royal Rumble 2004
Ah yes, the “forgotten” Royal Rumble because of [Redacted] winning it, it’s best if you google why this match is forgotten because it’s likely to never be uploaded on YouTube. Which is a damn shame because I really enjoyed the match overall, hell even before the match begins we have a hilarious segment between Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman ending with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin stunning them both. Mick Foley coming to fight a young Randy Orton was a huge highlight, Cena, RVD, Goldberg, a hell of a stacked Rumble. It’s just a shame this match will most likely stay on Dailymotion because of the winner of the match.
8. Royal Rumble 2006
Rey Mysterio’s ultimate gauntlet had the luchador fight in the match for over an hour before ultimately winning. This Rumble will always be bittersweet due to the passing of Eddie Guerrero, I honestly thought nostalgia would have ruined this match for me, but rewatching it again it’s a very solid Royal Rumble match. One of the funniest parts was some wrestlers coming in to fight Triple H, as if all the bad shit he’s done to them is coming back to haunt him. This also has the great moment of Shelton Benjamin being eliminated by Shawn Michaels, which would happen again two more times in the next two years. This is one of those Rumble matches where the first two entrants pretty much last to the end of the match, just something I thought I point out. Also, bonus points to the stage set, my inner drama kid geeks out at it.
7. Royal Rumble 2005
Another very solid Rumble match, we’ll ignore the hazing that happened early on in the match, even if it is kinda funny. Hell of a star studded match, Guerrero, Booker T, Edge, Cena, Batista, Jericho, etc. Everybody ganging up on Muhammed Hassan was so bad but I laugh at it every time it happens, who thought THAT was a good idea? Simon Dean doing workouts outside the ring for no reason other than being a workout nut is hilarious, and Paul London having arguably the greatest elimination of any entrant. Obviously the big thing is the botched ending with Cena and Batista, leading to Vinnie Mac coming to the ring like an angry gorilla, only to somehow blow both his quads. It’ll never not be funny watching him try to stand only to flop on his ass like a grumpy grandpa. Given 2005 was the rise of Cena and Batista, it makes sense they would be the final two.
6. Royal Rumble 2007
I give this one bonus points for having a fantastic promo package that I keep rewatching every time I rewatch this Royal Rumble. I see people bash this one but I found it very consistent overall, good action like Kane sending Sabu through a table and Sandman going nuts with the kendo stick. But I truly think the match picks up once Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker show up, and of course we end it with the greatest final two in the history of the Royal Rumble. At this point both have become legends but this was the first time in years these two faced off one on one, and a preview to their legendary WrestleMania matches. This was also the very first time #30 won the Royal Rumble, and of course The Undertaker would add a Royal Rumble win to his legendary list of accomplishments.
5. Royal Rumble 2008
The Royal Rumble and Madison Square Garden is like mixing peanut butter and chocolate, it just works and Royal Rumble 2008 is no exception. Starting with Undertaker and Shawn Michaels is always a good choice, and having Snuka and Roddy Piper for nostalgia is a bit awkward, but worth it to see CM Punk seeing legends like he just won the lottery. But come on, we know why this Royal Rumble stands out, and it’s John Cena coming back months before he was supposed to and winning the match. I don’t think people truly understand how impossible it is to come back from a torn pectoral muscle in less than four months, that does not happen! It’s still the gold standard for Royal Rumble returns because NOBODY saw this coming.
4. Royal Rumble 1992
For years I’ve heard about how legendary this Royal Rumble match was, I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to expectations. I’m pleased to say that not only did it live up to expectations, it’s an exceptional Royal Rumble. Let’s look at some of the people in this match shall we? Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase, Undertaker, British Bulldog, Shawn Michaels, Texas Tornado, Big Boss Man, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Sgt. Slaughter, Sid Justice, and plenty more. And of course, Ric Flair going the distance, pretty much getting bullied the whole match to win the WWF Championship. Plus Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s commentary is just gold.
3. Royal Rumble 2002
What a fantastic Royal Rumble, this really had it all and more. A stacked roster utilized extremely well, starts out a little slow but picks up fast, especially when Undertaker enters and cleans house, Of course we gotta talk about Maven eliminating Undertaker, such a legendary moment coming out of nowhere, it is actually perfect since no one expected Maven to do anything, then BOOM, history made. ‘Taker’s face also sells it, of course Maven paid for it dearly being a rookie. But the Rumble keeps going with a great roster, and picks up as the likes of Stone Cold, Kurt Angle, and especially Triple H eventually enter. Triple H in 2002 is nothing short of legendary due to his return from injury, and his win in 2002 is one of his greatest moments. Bonus points to The Hurricane trying to double-chokeslam both Austin and Triple H.
2. Royal Rumble 2000
Talk about a legendary roster in the heart of the Attitude Era, you know it’s legendary when Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay have the crowd on their feet clapping and cheering. Others include British Bulldog, Edge, Chyna, Big Show, Hardcore Holly, Big Boss Man, Jericho, Test, and a surprise Bob Backlund of all people. But this is 2000, and who was the most over wrestler that year? The Rock, and 2000 was The Rock at his peak, including a legendary win at the Royal Rumble.
1. Royal Rumble 2001
It’s very fitting that my number one pick is not only the peak of the Royal Rumble, but 2001 being the year wrestling peaked in general. Everything you want in a Royal Rumble is here, great action, hilarious comedy, great spots, and a legendary win. Starting with the Hardy Boyz is a good start, but then having Drew Carey? I don’t remember him being this over with people at the time, and being the smartest man when Kane enters and eliminates himself. And the comedy continues when Kane tells Honky Tonk Man how he feels about his music. Speaking of Kane, his legendary performance is one for the ages, eliminating eleven people and just being a dominant force of nature. A legendary Royal Rumble like this can only end with the biggest superstar in the history of the company winning, not only did Stone Cold win, he is still the only person to win three Royal Rumble matches, solidifying his place among the greatest in the business, and capping off the greatest Royal Rumble ever.