1988:
- 20-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ½* - The first Royal Rumble match, which came from the mind of Pat Patterson he envisioned having a battle royal but instead of every man being in it at the start, they would be entered randomly in time intervals. However unlike the later Rumble matches, there is 20 wrestlers instead of 30 (and 40 in 2011).
1989:
- Bret Hart, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Jim Neidhart Vs Dino Bravo, Jacques Rougeau & Raymond Rougeau - 6-Man 2 Out of 3 Falls Tag Match - 2 ¼*
1990:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3* - This match contains so many wrestlers from the 80's/90's that were household names, I really miss the pre-match Rumble promo's they were absolutely fantastic, especially if you got Hogan, Savage or Warrior cutting one and it seemed like they had just done 5 lines of cocaine before 'go-time'. Also I'm not sure if it's the WWE Network version or not but Pipers music is cut out for some reason. Ultimate Warrior seems to have the biggest pop compared to Hogan - but fans knew that this was that match that everyone wanted to see, plus Jesse Ventura is teasing that match between them and teasing Hogan eliminating Warrior on purpose. Finally, Mr Perfect entering 30 gets another good reaction from now a tired crowd (another guy who I think could've worked with Hogan and had a championship run.)
1991:
1992:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match (Big Boss Man, Colonel Mustafa, El Matador, Greg Valentine, Haku, Hercules, Hulk Hogan, Irwin R. Schyster, Jake Roberts, Jerry Sags, Jim Duggan, Jimmy Snuka, Nikolai Volkoff, Randy Savage, Repo Man, Ric Flair Rick Martel, Roddy Piper, Sergeant Slaughter, Shawn Michaels, Sid Justice, Skinner, Ted DiBiase, The Barbarian, The Berzerker, The British Bulldog, The Texas Tornado, The Undertaker, The Warlord, Virgil) – WWF Championship – 3 ¾* - The Iron Man of the Rumble Ric Flair enters from the 3rd spot and lasts just over an hour and wins it – but not only wins the Rumble but wins the WWF Championship. This is arguably one of the best Rumbles of all time, and also has as all-star wrestlers in it. All signs pushed to a Flair/Hogan Main-Event at Wrestlemania 8, however that never came to fruition. Also if you can find the full post-match promo with Flair I highly recommend it. This rumble match compared to the following rumble match just shows how much lack of stars they had the following year.
1993:
- Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty - WWF Intercontinental Championship – 4* - The two former-Rocker members would have plenty of memorable matches with each other this year; but this would be one of their firsts.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – This was the first Royal Rumble match which included the newly stipulation that the winner of the match would become the #1 contender for the WWF Championship in the main event of Wrestlemania. So finally there was a big-reward for entering in this match, and it made for heaps of excitement for the following 23 years.
1994:
- Yokozuna Vs The Undertaker - Casket Match - WWF Championship – 1* - I reckon this match is harshly rated, but I thought I’d include it because it was one of the first times Undertaker ‘dies’ on WWF/E television – it even includes over 10 wrestlers helping Yokozuna to beat him. After he is placed into a casket, Undertaker would appear on the TV screen saying he would return soon – as his body would ascend into the heavens (rising to the top of the arena).
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 2 ½* - Bret Harts first and only Royal Rumble victory, however he would share his win with Lex Luger. This was mark the first, and only time two people would share a Royal Rumble victory. Each man was given an opportunity at the WWF Championship at those years Wrestlemania. A hidden gem of this match is how great Bam Bam Bigelow and Shawn Michaels perform in this match.
1995:
- Diesel Vs Bret Hart - WWF Championship - 4 ¼* - This match is easily in my favourite matches of Diesels/Kevin Nash WWF Career. They seem to change up their styles with each other and try bringing the match to a new level.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ½* - There’s nothing that really sticks out for me in this Rumble, instead of 90 seconds, its 60 second intervals – Shawn Michaels also becomes the first person to enter from the #1 position and lasts the whole time and wins.
1996:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 2 ½*
- Bret Hart Vs Undertaker – WWF Championship – 2 ¾* - People seem to not be a fan of this match; that may have to do with some slow pacing between the two and the finish of the match. However, I enjoy this match and think it's one of the earlier matches taker would change to his style and made him into the wrestler he'd become in his later years. However, the end of this match would lead into a great big man match between Undertaker & Diesel at Wrestlemania that year.
1997:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - Austin’s first Royal Rumble win – however unfortunately he’d do it in cheating fashion and due to Shawn Michaels getting injured he would not secure his Main Event Championship match at Wrestlemania. It would lead to a ‘Final Four Match’ at the following PPV, which Bret would win. The men in this match are unquestionably legends in their own right let me name a few: Undertaker, Vader, Bret Hart, Austin (obviously), Terry Funk, Mick Foley and Rock – all Hall of Fame worthy people. This would be the first of 3 Royal Rumble wins for Stone Cold Steve Austin.
1998:
- Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker - Casket Match - WWF Championship - 3 ½* - One of the Shawn’s last matches before taking 4 years off, and he would defend his WWF Championship against his rival, The Undertaker in a Casket Match. Shawn would actually break his back in this match taking a dive outside the ring/over the casket.
1999:
- The Rock Vs Mankind - I Quit Match - WWF Championship - 3 ¾* - This match is truly brutal; these two met each other in an ‘I Quit Match’ the first one at the time (to my recollection). It featured some of the hardest chair shots to a wrestlers head of all time. Unfortunately this didn’t help Foley’s career in the long run – it’s also infamously known on the Beyond the Mat documentary that Foley’s wife and children were shown at ringside for the match.
2000:
- Tazz Vs Kurt Angle - Royal Rumble 2000 – 2* - This would be Tazz’s first match in the WWF, and it is insane the pop he gets from the New York City crowd in MSG, thought I would include this short match.
- Triple H Vs Cactus Jack - Street Fight - WWF Championship - 4 ½* - Triple H was yet to be a fully established big player coming into 2000, but that was until he would be in a feud with Mick Foley (Cactus Jack). This to me is the match that made Triple H as a big time player in the WWF. As Foley started wrapping his in-ring wrestling career it was good to see he helped make Triple H into the mega-star he is today. This may be one of my favourite matches from 2000, it’s absolutely brutal from the get go, all the way to the finish – if you like hardcore wrestling this is the match for you.
2001:
- Chris Jericho Vs Chris Benoit - Ladder Match - WWF Intercontinental Championship - 4 ¾* - These two would feud periodically throughout 2000 and 2001, but this time they’d face in a one on one affair for the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match. This is one of the best one on one-ladder matches of all time and it’s just so fantastic the chemistry that these two have with each other. Albeit this another one of those brutal matches, including a fantastic walls of Jericho on top of a ladder spot, which I squirm at every time at I see it.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ¼* - Compared to the Rumble from the previous year this is miles ahead of it in standards of: wrestlers and styles. In points of this match it becomes a Hardcore Royal Rumble, it also includes Kane setting the record for most eliminations (before the 2014 Rumble), the return of The Big Show, Undertaker & Kane aligning with each other once again – and you also the infamous bloody Rock and Stone Cold stare off. There’s a reason people consider this as one of the best Rumble matches in history, there’s so many big-time players in this match – the only couple missing are: Benoit, Triple H, Jericho & Angle – and they all had matches earlier this night.
2002:
- Ric Flair Vs Mr. McMahon - Street Fight - 2 ¾* - Ric Flairs returned to WWF in November of 2001, after the end of the Invasion storyline. He would proclaim that he has 50/50 ownership in WWF with Vince McMahon. This lead to his return match against Vince McMahon at Royal Rumble in a Street Fight. Very fun match, always enjoyed this match – of course you also get a standard Ric Flair blading.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ½* - Going into this match it was built as the return match for Triple H who had returned a few weeks prior to the PPV. The one fault with this match is that it was pretty predictable that Triple H was going to win and face Jericho at Mania that year, since Jericho was the won to injure Triple H in May of the previous year. However this rumble definitely has its good moments: Maven eliminating Undertaker, Hurricane trying to chokeslam Triple H & Stone Cold, plenty of returns including one of my favorite legends – Mr Perfect. I really wish this match helped set up a Mr Perfect/Kurt Angle match at Wrestlemania between two great wrestling technicians.
2003:
- Kurt Angle Vs Chris Benoit - WWE Championship - 4 ¾* - This to me is Chris Benoit's and Kurt Angles best match in WWE, well for me at least. These two had wrestled many, many times (hell if you’ve actually read the list you’ll see they’re listed several times.) I love these two mens wrestling abilities, two technicians giving their absolute all in a close to 30-minute match. This is the perfect 5 star match to me, and if you don’t agree with me, rewatch the match and be the judge for yourself. Also watch after the match finishes when Benoit finally gets to his feet and you can hear the crowd give Benoit a standing ovation for his performance. This match goes to show that WWE saw Benoit as one of their future World Champions.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ¼* - This Royal Rumble is the first one in the ‘Ruthless Aggression’ Era, there is so many new and upcoming wrestlers in this match. Wrestlers who had been in the WWE for multiple years, were changing up their looks/gimmicks. It also has a really good start where it helps set up for a Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho match at Mania, this match also sees the return of Undertaker who was away from October 2002 until this match – the vignettes leading into this match tricked the audience into making it feel like we were gonna see the return of the Deadman persona – however that was not the case, although there is a call back to the 2002 Rumble with Maven & Undertaker. Lastly, and most importantly it was the debut of Brock Lesnar in his first Rumble match and with him winning – it made him one of the most accomplished WWE superstars in such a short time.
2004:
- Eddie Guerrero Vs Chavo Guerrero - 2 ½* - WWE loves doing personal family matches, and this match saw Eddie who had to deal with Chavo turning on him, thankfully he overcome the odds and won the match.
- Triple H Vs Shawn Michaels - Last Man Standing Match - World Heavyweight Championship - 3* - I’m surprised this match didn’t get a 4 stars match – this match is one of my favourite Last Man Standing and I felt obligated to include this match on this list. I love the ending of this match of both men taking each other to their limits, and both not being able to answer the count of 10.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ¾* - This match helped build up two of WWE’s biggest stars at the time, Chris Benoit and Randy Orton. They entered as number 1 and number 2, and Orton lasts more than half of it and Benoit would actually go on to win this match from the number one position, the only person to do it since Shawn Michaels. But it’s a 30 men royal rumble match, not a 2 men royal rumble match, so credit goes to everyone involved it’s a very good match and is one of the more funner Royal Rumbles to sit back and revisit. The ending of Big Show & Chris Benoit has been repeated many times since, but this is still the best. I also love the ‘Taker tease when he scares Kane in this match, plus a few other moments: Foley returning to fight Orton, Kurt Angle being a great wrestler in this match and Earnest The Cat Miller coming out mid-Rumble to let people know someone should call his mumma.
2005:
- Edge Vs Shawn Michaels - 3 ¼*
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - Not rated) - WWE knew that they had gold with Batista and Cena in 2005, and especially when he won this Rumble match and entered the main event of Wrestlemania picture he was skyrocketed to the mainstream. From the get go of this Rumble it’s fantastic – you have to former world champions and best friends Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit start as numbers #1 and #2. This is still one of the funnest Rumbles I love going back to watch. You also have a fun little bit with Shawn Michaels & Kurt Angle which helps lead to their match at Mania. The end of this match ends in calamity when both Batista & Cena accidently both get eliminated at the same time, causing Vince McMahon (who was visually pissed off) to come out and restart the match. However, upon running and trying to slide into the ring he tears both his quads resulting in him shouting demands to referees and the wrestlers.. Whilst sitting on the floor like a kindergarten student.
2006:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ½*
2007:
- John Cena Vs Umaga - Last Man Standing Match - WWE Championship – 4* - This match was in the middle of Cena's 365+ day run and it showed he could still work with bigger men like Umaga. This is one of the best last man standing matches of all time that makes both men look equally strong and helped grow Umaga as a threat for the champion.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 4* - Oh the 2007 Rumble, branded as ‘star-studded’ was the first time ever that the Royal Rumble would become “Extreme”. The reasoning for this was because that for the first time ever the ECW brand would be included in the match – resulting in 10 stars from all three brands. I believe this was the first Rumble match that was branded ‘the Road to Wrestlemania’. It’s a fun match with many moments, but honestly maybe it’s because I’ve watched this one probably the most – I thought the match was a bit.. dull. That is until the number 30 entrant, - The Undertaker. There was 10 or so wrestlers in the ring and The Great Khali easily eliminated them one by one before Undertaker would enter and eliminate the giant. The final four teased a Edge/Orton break up and from that we got the final two – Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in what is easy to call the best ending to a Royal Rumble match of all time, if you’ve seen their previous matches just trust me. Usually when there’s 2 wrestlers left they get 2-3 minutes against each other, but these two get 10+ minutes to really show they can still go. Spoiler: the talk about how special the number 30 is, but this is the first time it really means something.
2008:
- Randy Orton Vs Jeff Hardy – WWE Championship – 3* - This was WWE's decision go give Jeff Hardy a chance at the WWE Championship and to see if he could excel with Randy Orton and he definitely could, many people believed in him to win this match and this helped increase his fan base. 2008 was Jeff Hardy's journey to the WWE Championship and this was only the first stage.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 4 ¼* - Following the Rumble last year, it starts the opposite way with Taker and Shawn entering numbers #1 and #2 – giving fans absolutely what we wanted. The match has plenty of good stars in it and its really fun to watch – it seems like this Rumble is the first one in a while really capitalises on the ‘Surprise Entrants’, Foley gets his moment, but I personally enjoy Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Piper entering after each other and the whole Rumble stopping so these two can battle it out for the first time in 20+ years. Another thing this Rumble capitalises on is surprise returns, this is still my favourite return/surprise in a Rumble (besides AJ) and that’s John Cena returning from injury as number 30. People complain that Cena was never over, but without a doubt when his music hits the crowd absolutely pops crazy for him.
2009:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ½*
2010:
- The Undertaker Vs Rey Mysterio - World Heavyweight Championship - 3 ¼* - This would be the first time that Rey would face Undertaker in his dead-man persona and it is worth the wait in all honesty. These two had good chemistry with each other and it's a very forgotten match before Undertaker would semi retire and go onto having a very limited schedule.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ½* - This is a fascinating Royal Rumble and what I mean by that is that you have many top WWE stars such as: Batista, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, John Cena, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and plenty of new up-and-coming stars; it’s the perfect blend of New Vs. Old in my opinion. Edge would return from injury in this match and start his feud with Chris Jericho, which would spam from now until a few PPV’s after Mania. A big story going into this match was Shawn Michael’s determination to win this match and to challenge the Undertaker in a rematch from their match at Wrestlemania 25.
2011:
- Edge Vs Dolph Ziggler - World Heavyweight Championship - 3 ½* - This would be one of Edge’s last matches before retirement, and it is also one of his best single matches. It shows Dolph Zigglers rise as to one of the veterans in the company and also shows all his strong points. I really wish that this match was saved for Wrestlemania instead of Del Rio/Edge.
- 40-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ½* - ‘Sometimes less is more’ is my exact thoughts on the Rumble, I understand that there was plenty of rookie stars that year including two factions – The Nexus & The Coore, but honestly there was no need for 40 men. There’s very limited ‘big-stars’ and wrestlers that wrestled earlier that night play double duty. I feel like this was CM Punks Rumble, he could’ve won it and faced the top face – Cena at Mania that year. I don’t want people to think this is me bitching about WWE booking, its just one persons opinions. Back to the Rumble, they try do a Rock/Austin Rumble face off with Cena/Orton which fails pretty bad and the crowd aren’t into it at all, but I will credit Cena’s opponent for Mania that year for remaining one of the best heels when he enters the match to eliminate Cena. I will give credit to WWE for a few things though, the comedic/dramatic ending with Santino and Del Rio was done pretty well and the fact that they let a newer star such as Del Rio to win this match means they had lots of trust in him.
2012:
- CM Punk Vs Dolph Ziggler - WWE Championship - 3 ¼* - CM Punks second feud of his championship reign was against Dolph Ziggler and really besides this match it’s pretty forgettable. But nonetheless ignore the addition of John Lauranitis, this match is pretty fun
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ¼*
2013:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match - 3 ½*
- The Rock Vs CM Punk – WWE Championship – 4* - The Rock was determined to become WWE Champion one more time, and that came at CM Punk’s expense. This is the end of Punk’s 434 WWE Championship reign – a lot of people are still angry about the ending to this match to this day, me included, I mean he could’ve delivered a Rock Bottom instead of People’s Elbow to finish the match at least. I know I’m complaining a lot, but in all honesty I guess it was nice to have Rock become WWE Champion one last time, in terms of business and making money it was booming and helped WWE make a lot of money especially for the first three PPV’s of 2013.
2014:
- Bray Wyatt Vs Daniel Bryan - 4* - Probably one of the best non-Royal Rumble matches of all time. Following Daniel Bryans face turn after two weeks of Bryan being a cult member to Bray, they squared off and what starts 2014 off as a great year for wrestling in WWE. Also the week prior to this match it gave us this moment I’m honestly surprised this match doesn’t get brought up more for how great both these two work together. Something that really does confuse me about the fans backlash for the Rumble match later that night is that they wanted Bryan to be in the match – which is fair enough. But why did no one complain about Wyatt not being put in the match? I mean he wins this match – he earned a place in that match, but hey I’m just complaining about spilled beans. Great match in both mens career, probably Wyatts best single match – highly recommend.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 3 ¼* - Batista made his infamous return in 2014, and people knew either him or Bryan were winning it. However, when Bryan wasn’t even put in the match, the crowd turned on Batista completely. Roman Reigns entered this match and set the new record for most eliminations in a Rumble match. He was absolutely loved, and was heavily cheered over Batista. A few other factors come into play in this match – There are so many new superstars in this match, but however it is ultimately the last time we’d see CM Punk on WWE television, as it was his last match. The day following this he would walk out of WWE after he was absolutely worn out to take some time off, he would later be released by WWE.
2015:
- Brock Lesnar Vs John Cena Vs Seth Rollins - WWE World Heavyweight Championship - 4 ¾* - Arguably one of the best WWE Matches of 2015 – really showcased all three mens skills and abilities. Also, one of the best triple threat matches in history, really recommend people rewatch this match/watch this match. How they went from having this contender for match of the year, to having one of the worst matches of the year following it is asinine. Now thinking about it, I wonder if they should’ve switched the placement for this match.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 1 ¾* - Roman Reigns got injured in September of 2015, meaning he wouldn’t compete for the rest of the year, however he would appear on the titantron cutting heavily scripted promo’s – which rubbed people the wrong way. Rumors had been out for close to 6 months stating that Roman would be winning this match, to face Lesnar at Mania. It didn’t help that the returning Daniel Bryan would be eliminated so prematurely; it lead a choir of boo’s for Roman when he entered the match. Even bringing out The Rock to make the save for Roman couldn’t help the situation, fans were hostile and (I used hyperbole here) on the verge of rioting. With all the bitching and moaning the trend of #CancelWWENetwork trended worldwide. As Paul Heyman would say months later to Roman, He was the Right Guy, at the Right Place, but at the Wrong Time. The WWE didn’t book this Rumble in a smart way at all for example when Kane & Big Show entered this match they easily just tossed over fan favourites including Ambrose, Ziggler, Ryback and Bray Wyatt – which sent the crowd to boo even louder.
2016:
- Dean Ambrose Vs Kevin Owens – Last Man Standing Match – Intercontinental Championship – 4 ¼* - A very fun and brutal Last Man Standing match to start the year for WWE, easily an earlier contender for match of the year. This feud actually helped a lot of people see the returning prestige of the Intercontinental championship.
- Charlotte Vs Becky Lynch - WWE Diva's Championship - 3 ¼* - I’m proud to say this match is on the list, this only one of TWO womens match on this list that got a 3 or more rating, and I don’t want to come off as sexist but there usually isn’t a good female match on the card, or there just generally isn’t a female match on the card. These are two great females who really got to show how good they really are – yeah they may have done better in NXT, but it’s still a good match. Plus the ending, teasing Sasha Banks wanting a shot at the WWE Diva’s Championship was done perfect.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match – 4* - Our last entry in this match, the ‘One Vs All’ for Roman Reign’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Compared to the previous couple of years winners and matches the crowd and the fans were just happy that they got a good match and good winner. The reception for all the wrestlers (bar Reigns) was great, the crowd really got around everyone. The story of all the Wyatts being in this match, Lesnar wanting his championship back, the returning Sami Zayn to fight his long-time foe Kevin Owens, the face off between Bray & Triple H, the final two of Ambrose & Triple H and of course, the debut of the ‘Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles in WWE really helped to make the Rumble one of the best of all time. This Rumble really had a stacked roster, and I know everyone was glad that Roman didn’t retain his championship, so I would really recommend this Rumble match.
No comments:
Post a Comment