The ESSENTIALS: The Royal Rumble

Welcome to this very special edition of the ESSENTIALS.  This Sunday marks the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Rumble.  Personally, after Mania, the rumble was always my favorite WWE PPV.  With so many classic moments and matches being held at the event, only so many are truly essential.  With that said, I find it only fitting that before the 25th event, we highlight the top 25 most memorable moments in the history of the PPV.  For those of you who are not familiar with the PPV, this article will provide an overview of the best and worst events and obscure facts that made the PPV what it is today.


Find out what makes this PPV so historic after the jump!

Number 25: Triple H and Shawn Michaels fight to the death

In the ages-long feud between Triple H and Shawn Michaels, this match is my personal favorite.  These two had the feud of the year in 2004 and never did it seem more personal than in this classic.  Shawn, playing his best underdog against the onslaught of the game, made for an awesome cinematic story and a brutal match that will go down as one of both men's best.

Number 24: Santino becomes infamous

In 2009, Santino Marella earned the dubious honor of being the superstar eliminated in the shortest amount of time (1 second).  Entering the match at number 28, he was promptly eliminated by Kane, breaking the Warlord's previous record of 2 seconds.  It's a record that may never be broken but one that I bet Santino would not mind if it were.

Number 23: Demolition implodes

Today, the rumble has a reputation for being an 'any man for himself' type of contest.  In the golden age of 1989, this common theme was established as the immensely popular team of Ax and Smash drew numbers 1 and 2.  The best part about it is that they did not milk it at all, these two immediately started going at it and set the stage for what would become a tradition of great opening segments in Royal Rumble matches.

Number 22: The best and worst moment of Maven's career

Maven won the very first Tough Enough, but what will probably go down as the most memorable moment of his WWE career, is his elimination of The Undertaker.  The deadman had been a favorite to win the rumble in 2002, but his night was ended early in what will go down as the most shocking elimination of all time.  Sadly, the night was then abruptly ended for Maven as the American Badass proceeded to kick the living shit out of the rookie and taught him a valuable lesson....DON'T F*CK WITH THE PHENOM!

Number 21: I Quit....or do I??

At the 1999 event, in what may be the most infamous I Quit match of all time, The Rock and Mankind held nothing back.  The stakes were high and things got particularly brutal when Foley (while handcuffed) took an unbelievable eleven unprotected chair shots to the head.  The Rock would go on to win the match, but not without controversy, as it was later revealed that Foley's voice was played via a tape over the PA system.

Number 20: Legacy ensures victory for The Viper

Randy Orton's best year of his career kicked of with a bang at the 2009 Royal Rumble.  He masterfully used his two Legacy cronies (Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes) to eliminate pretty much everyone else in the match.  In one particularly dastardly move, he even made a reluctant Cody Rhodes eliminate his own brother Goldust.  Still, Orton would save the best for last, using the numbers advantage to exact what seemed like some long overdue revenge before last eliminating his former mentor who turned his back on him in 2004, Triple H. 

Number 19: John Cena and Umaga slience all critics

John Cena and Umaga were two of the most frequently bashed performers in the industry, but at the 2007 rumble, they earned some much needed respect.  They would clash in an awesome Last Man Standing match that no one expected to be much more then a 'Super Cena' fest.  Without any real expectations going in, they delivered a hard fought classic that would make a star out of Umaga and help cement Cena's status as a true main eventer.

Number 18: Vince McMahon!?........REALLY!?

In 1999, Vince McMahon created a memorable moment that everyone wants to forget.  By last eliminating Steve Austin, he would become the most shocking winner of all time.  What's even more astounding, is the fact that he entered at number 2!  Still, don't let the ugly sweatsuit in the photo above fool you, he hardly did any work.  He would B.S. on commentary for most of the match and only eliminate Austin with help from The Rock.  He then vacated his guaranteed Wrestlemania main event, giving the runner-up, Steve Austin, the victory (thank goodness!).

Number 17: Bret Hart and Lex Luger share the wealth

In the only rumble match to end in a tie, Bret Hart (#27) and Lex Luger (#23) were declared co-winners in 1994. The end would not go on without controversy though, as it was pretty clear that Luger's feet hit the ground first.  Good thing there was not much of an IWC back in 94'.  I would have hate to have read some of the boards the next morning after this shit went down.

Number 16: Women in the rumble

In 1999, Chyna would become the first woman entered into the Royal Rumble match.  She would give a repeat performance in 2000, even eliminating Chris Jericho in the process.  More recently, in 2010, Beth Phoenix became the second female entering at number 6.  However, after she eliminated The Great Khali, CM Punk would crush the Glamazon's dream by promptly eliminating her from the match.

Number 15: The trial of Shawn Michaels

In the 2010, Shawn Michaels was determined to get his rematch with The Undertaker by any means necessary.  Going into the 2010 Royal Rumble, he was the clear favorite to win, as many clamored for part 2 of arguably, the greatest saga in the history of Wrestlemania.  Shawn entered the match at number 18, and would give a valiant effort eliminating six total participants (even his DX partner Triple H).  Sadly after over 20 minutes in the match and an appearance in the final four, he was eliminated by Batista in one of the most dramatic moments in WWE history.

Number 14: Jericho and Benoit strike an iconic pose

At the 2001 rumble, in one of the greatest ladder matches in WWE history (and one I rated 5 stars), Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit gave us a moment I will never forget.  Even without the iconic image of Jericho locking Benoit in the Walls of Jericho atop a ladder, this match would have still been a classic.  Still, it's this image that we all remember to this day, whether the WWE wants us to or not.

Number 13: Cactus Jack takes Triple H to the limit

Prior to the 2000 rumble event, Triple H had been seen as a very popular yet unproven main event attraction.  He would change that perception almost overnight after surviving the most brutal street fight in WWE history.  After weeks of tormenting Mick Foley, he would have to suffer the wrath of Foley's most sadistic alter ego, Cactus Jack.  The Game would end up having the best year of his career and go on to become one of the WWE's most valuable players, all thanks to this 5 star classic.

Number 12: John Cena shocks the Garden

After being sidelined with an injury at the hands of Batista in 2007, John Cena was expected to miss almost a year.  Needless to say, he was the last person everyone expected to enter at number 30 in the 2008 Royal Rumble.  Triple H had just finished cleaning house and the IWC had just finished rolling their eyes when John Cena's music hit and the arena erupted at his shocking return.  The moment would be bittersweet for Cena, as the crowd would quickly return to form, booing him out of the building on his way to his first rumble victory.

Number 11: Brock Lesnar overcomes the odds

In 2003, on one magic night in Boston, MA, the stars aligned in what would go down as one of the best events in Royal Rumble history.  Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle tore down the house with their technical masterpiece, but the real star of the night was Brock Lesnar.  It was clear that the WWE was going to have Lesnar be it's main attraction throughout the year and he would deliver an admirable performance.  To even qualify for the rumble match, Brock would have to defeat the 7 foot, 500 lb Big Show.  He would do so after an amazing F-5 to the giant, earning himself the #29 spot.  After last eliminating The Undertaker, the 24-year-old Lesnar would then become the youngest winner in the history of the event and the biggest star in the company.

Number 10: Rey Mysterio the marathon man

After the untimely death of Eddie Guerrero in 2005, everyone was rooting for Mysterio to win the 2006 rumble given the fact that he would dedicate his effort to his late friend.  Not only would the ultimate underdog go the distance, but he would break Chris Benoit's hour long record and become the longest lasting winner of all time (62:12).  Rey would also become only the second man to draw number two and win, going on to successfully capture the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania XXII.

Number 9: Alberto Del Rio fufills his destiny

Alberto Del Rio had one of the greatest rookie years in the history of pro wrestling,  Perhaps the greatest highlight being his 2011 victory in the biggest rumble in WWE history.  Entering at #38, Alberto would earn the win that 39 other superstars (including the night's most brilliant performer CM Punk) were shooting for by last eliminating Santino Marella.  I remember my heart stopping for the entire last segment of the match for fear that Marella would pull the biggest upset ever. Thankfully Del Rio backed up one of his many infamous claims of destiny and make history in the process.

Number 8: Steve Austin pulls a hat trick

After two back-to-back victories in 1997 and 1998, Stone Cold would become the first man to ever win three Royal Rumble matches.  Entering at number 27, Steve Austin would engage in the most hardcore ending to a rumble match by last eliminating Kane.  Steve's three-peat is a record that still holds to this day, and one that does not look like it will be broken anytime soon.

Number 7: Batista and John Cena deliver a thrill ride of an ending

 

In 2005, after one of the best rumbles in recent history, it would come down to the two men pegged as the WWE's next breakout superstars.  Batista (#28) was riding an immense wave of momentum at the time and John Cena (#25) was the only man who could match it.  I remember watching this live and having no clue who was going to win.  Things got even more interesting as both men's feet hit the floor at the same time.  Just when we thought we were going to have the second ever tie finish, Vince McMahon awkwardly stumbled into the ring and demanded the match continue.  As the crowd clung to the edge of their seats, Batista would finally eliminate John Cena and secure his place in the main event of Wrestlemania XXV.

Number 6: Hacksaw Jim Duggan makes history

In the first ever Royal Rumble in 1988, Hacksaw Jim Duggan would make his mark on professional wrestling by becoming the first man to win the world's most prolific battle royal.  Drawing number 13, he would surprise the audience by last eliminating One Man Gang. 

*Side note: Bret Hart entered at number one, also making history becoming the first man to ever enter a Royal Rumble match.

Number 5: Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle earn a standing ovation

Even though the 2003 event would become Brock Lesnar's night, it was these two superstars who would earn the respect and admiration of the live audience.  After a 5 star classic, Kurt Angle would retain his WWE Championship against his greatest rival, Chris Benoit.  It was a heartbreaking loss for Benoit, and the crowd felt every bit of the disappointment that he did.  To show their appreciation for his admirable effort, the crowd got out of their chairs and gave Benoit an emotional and well-deserved standing ovation.  It was a moment that I will never forget, and a match that stands as the best in the history of the PPV to this day.

Number 4: Kane goes on a rampage

For over an hour in the 2001 Royal Rumble, Kane (#16) went on a path of destruction that has yet to be duplicated.  He still holds the record for the most eliminations in Royal Rumble history (11).  After eliminating six men (Al Snow, Perry Saturn, Steve Blackman, Raven, The Honky Tonk Man and Grand Master Sexay) in a row, he would even add The Rock to his list of victims that night.  His presence was so intimidating that the surprise entrant Drew Carey even tried to pay The Big Red Machine off.  Kane would unfortunately be eliminated later that night by Steve Austin.

*Side note: Kane also holds the record for most final six appearances (6) and most Royal Rumble appearances(13).

Number 3: The Undertaker breaks the curse

You would think the last entrant in the match would have the obvious advantage.  However, for nearly 20 years, the number 30 entrant had never been able to secure a victory.  In 2007, The Phenom would break the infamous 'number 30 curse'.  In what will most likely go down as the greatest finish in Royal Rumble history, The Undertaker would last eliminate Shawn Michaels after nearly 10 minutes of amazing action.  These two legends would deliver the best one-on-one performance in the history of the match and plant the seeds for what would become the definitive feud of the next era. 

Number 2: Coast 2 Coast

In 1995, the greatest performer in WWE history would also make his mark as quite possibly, the greatest performer in the history of the Royal Rumble.  After becoming the first man to enter at number 1 and win, Shawn would also go on to hold the record for total eliminations (38), final four appearances (5) and become only the second man to win back to back rumbles. 











And which moment is the most essential in the history of the Royal Rumble?

Number 1: Ric Flair wins the most star studded rumble of all time

With a tear in his eye, Ric Flair would go on to win a rumble that included such icons as The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Tito Santana, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Nikolai Volkoff, Jimmy Snuka, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, The British Bulldog and Ted Dibiase.  Entering at number three and lasting just under an hour, Flair would also make history by being the only man to win the WWE Championship via winning the rumble match.  This match was a moment The Nature Boy also holds very close to his heart, as he entered the star flooded and flashy world of the WWE with a huge chip on his shoulder.  Many thought he was past his prime and was not quite the valuable commodity he once was.  Upon defeating EVERY major star the WWE had to offer, he proved all the doubters wrong and cemented his legacy as the greatest wrestler to ever live.







**BONUS**



List of Royal Rumble winners by year:


1988: Jim Duggan
1989: Big John Studd
1990: Hulk Hogan
1991: Hulk Hogan
1992: Ric Flair
1993: Yokozuna
1994: Bret hart and Lex Luger
1995: Shawn Michaels
1996: Shawn Michaels
1997: Steve Austin
1998: Steve Austin
1999: Vince McMahon
2000: The Rock
2001: Steve Austin
2002: Triple H
2003: Brock Lesnar
2004: Chris Benoit
2005: Batista
2006: Rey Mysterio
2007: The Undertaker
2008: John Cena
2009: Randy Orton
2010: Edge
2011: Alberto Del Rio




Who do you think will win this Sunday?  My 3 picks are:


1. Chris Jericho
2. Randy Orton
3. Christian




Either way, be sure to check in next Monday for my review!