wrestling / Columns
The 411 Wrestling Top 5 1.21.09: Week 6 – Royal Rumble Performances
Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. What we are going to is take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to give us their Top 5 on said topic, plus up to three honorable mentions. At the end, based on where all these matches rank on people’s list, we will create the 411 Wrestling Top 5 list. The scoring is very similiar to the Wrestler of the Week as it looks like this:
#1 Choice – 5 points
#2 Choice – 4 points
#3 choice – 3 points
#4 Choice – 2 points
#5 Choice – 1 point
Honorable Mentions will break ties, but get no points.
Also, in the case of a tie, the most votes win, regardless of where it is listed in the individual Top 5. I will also use this rule in the event that one match is mentioned more often, but is one point behind. For example, one second place vote and two Honorable Mentions will defeat simply one first place vote.
So, on to this week’s topic…
Ever since 1988 when (as Miz and Morrison noted on Raw) Hacksaw Jim Duggan won the whole event, the Royal Rumble has gone down as one of the most anticipated Pay Per Views of the year. And while it wasn’t until after the first few inceptions of The Rumble that the winner received a guarenteed World Heavyweight Title shot at WrestleMania, the event has always given us great moments, great foreshadowing into the future, and has been the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania.
In the twenty one years of The Rumble, eighteen men have been able to say that they outlasted twenty nine other superstars and won the Royal Rumble. Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold are the only multiple winners, with Austin winning three times. Bret Hart and Lex Luger co-won the 1994 Royal Rumble and even Mr. McMahon has won the Royal Rumble. Two men have won after entering at lucky number 30 and it only has happened in the past two years with The Undertaker and John Cena. Four men have started the Royal Rumble as number 1 or number 2 and won the event, including McMahon, Michaels, Rey Mysterio, and Chris Benoit. Four men have gone over an hour in the Royal Rumble, all of them entering one or two. Bob Backland and Triple H have accomplished the feat, in 1993 and 2006 respectfully, and did not win the Royal Rumble. Number 27 has produced the most winners and the biggest (Big John Stud and Yokozuna), but none since Stone Cold won his third Royal Rumble in 2001. The most eliminations in a Rumble is Kane’s 11 (also in 2001), with Stone Cold eliminating 10 in 1997. Austin’s ten is also the most eliminations made by a person who won the Royal Rumble. One last fact for you all: Kevin Nash and Rikishi also hold the record for the most consecutive men eliminated with 7. Nash did it in 1994, Rikishi made each of the first seven eliminations in 2000, who were also ironicly the first seven men to enter the Rumble besides himself.
But let us not forget that the Royal Rumble has also been full of memorable matches oustide of the Main Event. 1999 and 2000 gave us some brutal contests involving Mick Foley as one of his egos against The Rock and Triple H respectfully. While the Royal Rumble itself is full of memorable performances, one can not forget matches like these as well. Narrowing it all down to a Top 5 was certainly going to be challenge for the 411 Wrestling Staff.
So what did our great group of writers select? Let’s find out…
Ryan Byers
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Bobby Heenan (1992) – Everybody loves Ric Flair’s performance in the 1992 Royal Rumble match, and it was awesome. However, one of the overlooked factors that really put it over the top was the Brain’s excellent commentary as the ultimate Flair fanboy.
The “WTF” Entrants (Various Years) – It doesn’t happen much anymore, but I loved it in years gone by when Royal Rumble matches would contain guys who were in the WWF for seemingly no reason whatsoever. Whether it was a bunch of AAA guys in 1997, Takao Omori & Doug Gilbert & Dory Funk in 1996, or Tenryu & Kabuki in 1994, they were always worth a chuckle.
Glamour Girls vs. Jumping Bomb Angels (1988) – The women’s wrestling mark in me has to give some recognition to this match from the first Rumble, which is probably one of the top five ladies’ matches ever promoted by WWE.
5.Bob Backlund (1993) – A lot of people forget about this one because it didn’t lead anywhere, but, in 1993, a 43 year old Bob Backlund stayed in the Royal Rumble match for 61:10 before being eliminated by Yokozuna, the ultimate winner. At the time, Backlund’s run was the longest that any competitor had ever remained in the ring during the Rumble match, and his record would stand until 2004 when Chris Benoit edged him out by twenty seconds. Though it’s not quite as impressive as wrestling an hour long singles match, Backlund’s staying power in the Rumble is a testament to the top physical shape that the former WWWF Champion has always kept himself in.
4.Mankind vs. The Rock (1999) – Even if there were no extracurricular activities, the “I Quit” match between these wrestlers would have been very memorable. The work itself was entertaining, and it was a great example of a stipulation actually playing in to a storyline, as Foley was portrayed as the man who would not submit no matter the circumstances. However, what really put this bout over the top is the fact that it gave us the climatic scene of Beyond the Mat, which, until 2008, may have been the greatest wrestling movie of all time. Even when I’ve forgotten most of the things that happened on WWF programming during the “Attitude Era,” I will still have the haunting image of Mick Foley’s family screaming as he was brutalized burned in to my head.
3.Maven (2002) – He’s completely irrelevant now, but for a couple of days in 2002, the winner of WWE’s first Tough Enough competition was the talk of professional wrestling. He was given a huge upset spot in eliminating the then-heel Undertaker from the Royal Rumble match, which may have been the most memorable moment and most impressive (kayfabe) performance from an otherwise forgettable version of the Rumble.
2.Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (2000) – In recent years, WWE has booked the Rumble on the theory that you don’t need a strong title match because the Rumble itself will draw fans. As a result, we’ve gotten embarrassing bouts like Kurt Angle versus Mark Henry, Brock Lesnar versus Bob Holly, and Batista versus Ken Kennedy. However, in 2000, the company was still booking top-level feuds for the January pay per view. This resulted in perhaps the greatest singles match backed by the greatest angle in Royal Rumble history, with Mick Foley and Triple H going head to head. It was this match more than any other which solidified the H’s as a top star and established his reputation as a man who could work in just about any style.
1.Ric Flair (1992) – Some people may shy away from this one because they don’t want to be perceived as voting for the “cliched” option, but, at least from where I sit, this is a no brainer. The Nature Boy was the first man to win a Royal Rumble despite being one of the first ten entrants, and he didn’t do just that. He was the third man in the ring and was still standing at the end, years before going from entrant number one to the final four became an angle repeated at almost every Rumble. The Nature Boy had twenty-nine different opponents in the match, and he seemingly worked with almost every one of them during the sixty minute contest, showing his versatility as a performer in addition to his endurance. More than any other Royal Rumble match, this is the one that I will rewatch time and time again, and it’s all because of Ric Flair.
John Meehan
HONORABLE MENTIONS
RAW and Smackdown Unite against Terrorism (2005) – Muhammad Hassan will probably be best remembered for his infamous and most unceremonious exit from WWE programming after an ill-fated turn to the role of terrorist sympathizer. There’s a great moment in the 2005 Royal Rumble match, however, when THE ENTIRE WWE ROSTER — previously divided by brand loyalty — comes together to kick the poor bastard’s ass.
The Undertaker Wins the Rumble (2007) – Winning the Royal Rumble from the #30 entrant spot had never been done before, and it was one of the few things in this crazy business that I NEVER thought we’d see. Most men would look like little more than undeserving chumps winning the whole shebang after such a lucky spot, but ‘Taker (and HBK)sold it beautifully and made a believer out of everyone when he rolled into WrestleMania to challenge Batista for the World Title.
The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels as the Royal Rumble’s Final Two (2007) – Same match, different honor. Taker and HBK have yet to square off in a singles match in “recent” WWE history (their last encounter was at the Rumble in 1998), but this ten-minute teaser showdown between the two legends was a great way to whet fans appetites in hopes that we’ll see such a clash of the titans one more time before all’s said and done.
5.Shawn Michaels Goes the Distance (1995) – though the 1995 Royal Rumble match was particularly light on star power (come to think of it, Davey Boy Smith and Lex Luger are the only other two semi-believable “stars” in the contest), and is often dismissed as a huge disappointment on account of the fact that new entrants were added every *sixty seconds* as opposed to two minutes, it is certainly a Royal Rumble worth remembering, simply because it marked the first time a competitor managed to win the entire match despite entering as the number one entrant. It’s no classic, mind you, but it’s certainly worth a nod for historical reasons if nothing else.
4. Lex and Bret’s Photo Finish (1994) – For a twelve-year-old, this was about as exciting an outcome as you could ever hope to see. Two guys (Luger and Hart) slugging it out for the right to face the champion at WrestleMania, and both men want it so bad that they manage to knock one another out of the ring simultaneously in their pursuit to be the very best. Incredible timing for a live event, and one of the coolest finishes to a Royal Rumble match that you’ll ever see.
3. John Cena Returns (2008) – scoff at the mere mention of John Cena’s name amid ANY “best of” list if you must, but in January of 2008, virtually NOBODY saw this coming as Cena was about as far removed from the radar of active competitors as Bill Goldberg and Randy Savage combined. For sheer unpredictability and “mark-out” value alone, there are few moments in Royal Rumble history that top The Champ’s wholly unexpected return at last year’s event.
2. Triple H vs. Cactus Jack Street Fight (2000) – Holy crap was this match a classic. Though he’d held the gold before, Hunter was just finally coming into his own as a main event heel after spending years playing the part of an also-ran midcard prankster. But by the end of the night, Triple H had earned himself some crazy rulebreaker credibility and cemented himself as the then-WWF’s single baddest heel by absolutely beating the snot out of the Hardcore Legend.
1. The Rock vs. Mankind “I Quit” Match (1999) – few matches in wrestling history can rightly be called “legendary.” This match, however, is the rarest of exceptions, as it was a defining moment both in the career of one Mick Foley and in reshaping the overall structure of the so-called “Attitude Era” as we knew it. Ever the sympathetic loser, Foley found himself catapulted to superstardom after winding up on the receiving end of some of the most viscious chairshots ever captured on WWE programming — all while his wife and kids scream in horror from the front row. Even better? Barry Blaustein’s documentary crew is there to capture each wince-inducing moment of the action. Rarely has brutality ever been this brilliant.
Steve Sullivan
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Drew Carey is the sole entrant…for now! (2001) – Someone had to remind you of it. This was funny! It was at the height of his sitcom, Whose Line was just getting popular and all of a sudden, in one of the biggest matches of the year, Drew Carey is alone in the ring as he waits for the next entrant. The timer buzzes and Kane’s pyro hits and Drew sends himself scurrying over the top rope. Fun times.
Chris Benoit (2004) – A couple years ago this may have made my top 5 but for obvious reasons, I can’t bring myself to do it. Although I will never be able to forget how happy I was for Chris, after being a big fan of his for such a long time to see him actually rise to the top of the WWE. The switch to Raw, the feud with Triple H and HBK were classics, and the finish to his Wrestlemania 20 match ranked up in the greatest moments in wrestling history.
5. Bret Hart & Lex Luger Tie! (1994) I remember watching this one with my mom and dad. At the time I was a huge Lex Luger fan because, at 13, I had bit into the whole “Real American” bit. These two guys had paid their dues on the midcard and here they were having a classic bout at the end of the Royal Rumble. Then all of a sudden, they both eliminated each other and nobody knew who won. With hindsight, we can all pretty much determine that since Bret Hart would go on to become a WWE Hall of Famer while Luger would go on to, um, sleep with Miss Elizabeth, that Bret Hart was the true beneficiary and winner of this Royal Rumble.
4. Kurt Angle vs. Tazz (2000)– I think a lot of people forget about this match. Angle had a “mystery opponent” and nobody had a clue who it would be. Angle was still undefeated. Then, his opponent entered and Tazz made his WWE debut, suplexing the hell out of Angle over and over again to win the match and give Kurt Angle his first loss as a professional wrestler.
3. Kane eliminates 11! (2001)– On this night, The Big Red Monster deserved to win, but didn’t. The big man eliminated Raven, Al Snow, Perry Saturn, Steve Blackman, Grand Master Sexay, The Honkey Tonk Man, Tazz, Albert, Crash Holly, Scott 2 Hotty, and even The Rock. And Drew Carey eliminated himself at the sight of Kane, so you might as well say 12! Kane entered the match at #6 and would go all the way to the end, finishing 29th when Stone Cold Steve Austin finally eliminated him to win the Rumble. Anytime you can take out almost half the field, that’s pretty damn impressive.
2. John Cena returns and wins! (2008)– As much as I hate Cena, nobody saw this coming. We had all assumed (and some celebrated) that Cena wouldn’t return until after Wrestlemania 24. Then all of a sudden, Cena’s music hits and he’s #30. I didn’t watch this Rumble but I remember logging on to 411mania the next night to see who had won and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head. As much as I dislike him, this was probably my favorite Cena moment.
1. Ric Flair goes the distance and wins the WWE Title (1992)– The Rumble was still a toddler when Flair won it for the WWE Championship. He won it as Entrant #3, the only person to win with that entry and outlasted them all. He was in there FOREVER. Prior to this Rumble, the earliest entry to win was Hacksaw Jim Duggan when he won the 1st Rumble. Of course, that Rumble only featured 20 men. After that, the winner had come in at 27, 25, and 24. Flair winning at #3 was a miracle. The fact that today it remains the only time the title was won in the match, makes it that much sweeter.
Dustin James
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Rockers vs. The Orient Express: 1991 Royal Rumble – I absolutely LOVE this match. If you have never seen these two teams face off, do yourself a favor and hunt down this match.
The Rock vs. Mankind: 1999 Royal Rumble – The infamous “I quit” match between The Rock and Mankind for the WWE Title. My head still hurts from watching Foley take all those sickening chair shots.
Rick Martel: 1991 Royal Rumble – Martel comes in at #6 and lasts almost an hour! This is the same Rumble that had almost EIGHT guys last around a half hour, however Martel’s performance was the best.
5) Kane: 2001 Royal Rumble – If you can’t win the Royal Rumble, then the next best thing could be eliminating almost half the participants in the match! While Diesel had a very impressive run in 1994 when he eliminated 7 straight participants, Kane eliminated 11 people in 2001. He also drew #6 and was eliminated after 55 minutes of action. Kane’s performance in 2001 could be the best performance put on by a non-winnner in the Royal Rumble.
4) Bob Backlund: 1993 Royal Rumble – I LOVED Backlund’s performance in the 1993 Royal Rumble. Nobody gave “Opie” a chance in this thing, but the guy drew #2 and lasted over an hour! Backlund may have only eliminated two people during the match (Fatu & Rick Martel), but drawing #2 and making it to the end definitely earns Backlund a spot on this list.
3) Chris Benoit: 2004 Royal Rumble – Benoit became the 2nd man in history to draw #1 in the Royal Rumble and go the whole distance. How can he NOT make this list? Some people may leave it off due to “YOUKNOWWHAT”, but I felt I should leave it on.
2) Shawn Michaels: 1995 Royal Rumble – Shawn Michaels became the first man in Royal Rumble history to draw #1 and go the whole way in 1995. Nobody would repeat that feat until Benoit did it in 2004. A lot of people believe Michaels victory wasn’t as special due to the fact that the WWE decided to have the wrestlers come out every sixty seconds instead of every two minutes, but honestly…..who cares? He went the distance and with #1 and at the time, that was considered “impossible”.
1) Ric Flair: 1992 Royal Rumble – How can you NOT give this to Flair? The 1992 Royal Rumble is one of my personal favorite events, and Flair’s performance is a big reason why. Not only that, but Bobby Heenan’s performance as color commentator was HILARIOUS! “IT’S NOT FAIR TO FLAIR! IT’S NOT FAIR TO FLAIR!” If you have never seen this Rumble, watch it now.
Aaron Hubbard
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Rockers & Orient Express Tear Down the House (1991) – These guys had a great chemistry, and they had the match of the night.
Mick Foley puts over Triple H (2000) – This brutal, bloody classic is a match that cemented Foley as a legend, and cemented Triple H as a true main eventer.
Maven eliminates Undertaker(2002) – The only notable thing Maven ever really did.
5.Kane Goes the Distance (2001) – Kane gets a lot of crap thrown his way, and I think it’s unfair. That said, this is the highlight of Kane’s career. Lasting 55 minutes and setting the record for number of eliminations (11), Kane had one Hell of a showing before Stone Cold eliminated him to win the match.
4.Undertaker and HBK’s Epic Confrontation (2007) – Royal Rumbles seem to follow a formula where it gets down to four guys, and rapid eliminations take place until we get the winner. This year was different. Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were the final two men in the Rumble, and proceeding to have about an eight minute match, recreating their 1997 Rivalry. Although Taker would eke out the victory, nobody would forget this dramatic end to the Rumble.
3.Angle & Benoit’s Classic (2003) – I’m a huge fan of technical wrestling. These two are perhaps the very best technical wrestlers the game has ever seen, and in 2003, they were given the time to steal the show. Angle would win the match, but the incredible performance from both men earned them Match of the Year Honors from almost everyone.
2.Ric Flair wins the Royal Rumble (1992) – One of the most star studded Royal Rumbles ever, the highlight of this was Ric Flair’s performance. Flair entered at #3, and lasted an hour before eliminating Sid Justice to become WWE Champion. Some think this is the best Rumble of all time, and Flair’s dramatic performance is the main cause for that.
1.Chris Benoit wins the Royal Rumble (2004) – In my opinion, the 2004 Royal Rumble was the best edition of the Rumble. This was the build-up to Wrestlemania XX, and almost every major storyline was included in this. Kane-Undertaker, Foley-Orton, Lesnar-Goldberg. And Ernest Miller’s dancing. But the real story, was Benoit’s amazing performance, starting from #1, lasting an hour, and last eliminating the Big Show to finally win the Big One.
Owain J. Brimfield
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kaientai interferes in the Rumble (2000) – Taka and Funaki continually ran into the ring during the Rumble only to be swiftly eliminated, with the highlight being Jerry Lawler’s childish glee and insistence on replaying the elimination of Taka that gave him a concussion.
Rey in the Rumble (2006) – The little guy proves himself, even if the subsequent title reign was a letdown.
Kane’s records (2001/2006) – Most eliminations, most total appearances and most consecutive appearances ain’t a bad set of stats for the Big Red Machine.
5.Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit ladder match (2001) – This one usually seems to get left out of the conversation when it comes to discussing the best ladder matches, and I’m not really sure why. Sure, it’s not the best ever, but it’s a solid and entertaining match; besides, who can forget that sick chairshot Benoit took off the suicide dive? These two could always be relied upon to deliver, and this match is no exception to that rule.
4.Undertaker/HBK at the death (2007) – For bucking the trend and having the final two actually put in a genuinely lengthy contest at the climax of the Rumble rather than a few minutes of teased eliminations, and finally having the number 30 win the match, this would have been enough to score an honorable mention. Having the two men in question be the two icons they were is sufficient to bump this into the top five. The moment when Taker and HBK get to their feet is magical as the crowd realises what they’re about to see, and the two wrestlers certainly delivered. One of the finest conclusions to the Rumble match itself I can recall.
3.Hardys vs Dudleys tables match (2000) – Possibly the best pure tables match in history, this was a superb spotfest that managed to stand out on a gimmick-filled card. The two sets of brothers busted their ass to give us some innovative and hard-hitting action, with the climactic swanton off the balcony being a particularly memorable spot. This one had the crowd buzzing and would have been the highlight of the PPV if not for a certain match that features higher on this list.
2.Triple H vs Cactus Jack Street Fight (2000) – This one featured heavily in our lists a couple of weeks ago as one of the top Triple H moments and I’ve no doubt it’ll repeat its proliferation this week. One of the finest hardcore matches of all time, with H’s and the rebirth of Cactus going all out to bloody and batter each other in one of the most violent matches the WWF had seen to that point in its history. That the awesome Hell in a Cell matchup between the two the following month pales in comparison to this match is testament enough to its greatness, methinks.
1.Mankind vs The Rock ‘I Quit’ match (1999) – Even if the rest of the match hadn’t been an insane brawl, this would probably get the top spot for the simple fact of the chairshot marathon and “I quit, I quit, I quit!!!” conclusion. That Foley’s young children sat aghast in the front row as their father was destroyed at the hands of The Rock only adds to the sweetness. If the previous entry on this list was one of the finest hardcore matches ever, this one should be right up there with it.
Robert S. Leighty Jr
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Heenan and Monsoon in 1992 – The commentary by these two men during the 1992 Rumble only added to the greatness of the event.
Michaels in 1995 – This only gets an honorable mention for 1 reason: The Rumble went to 60 seconds between entrants, and I can’t forgive the E for that mistake.
Diesel creates the “Diesel push” – In 1994 Diesel was booked so dominant in the Rumble that he received a huge face reaction, saved his career, and crated a Rumble staple for years to come.
5.Kane eliminates 11 – Kane received the Diesel push in 2001 and the big man did not disappoint. He set a Rumble record by tossing 11 men and lasted to the very end before Austin a steel chair finally ended his night. Even though Austin got the win, a lot of people remember the performance from the Big Red Machine.
4.Piper wins IC Title – One of the loudest ovations you will ever hear was when Howard Finkle introduced Piper as the New Intercontinental Champion. Piper ran through the Mountie to win his first title in the WWE, and while not a great match, the moment was something special. It also led to the awesome Hart/Piper WrestleMania VII match. So, it’s got that going for it.
3.Cena vs Umaga: 2007 – This was the match I voted for as the match of the year in 2007, and it was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Who knew these 2 men had it in them? They used the last man standing stipulation perfectly, and did some innovative spots that have been lifted in other matches. The image of Cena choking the life out of Umaga with the ring rope while JR is screaming “even monsters have to breath” is all kinds of awesome. Just a great effort by these 2 men who had some unreal chemistry.
2.Angle vs Benoit: 2003 – One of my favorite matches ever, and it still is today even after the Benoit situation. The match was damn near perfect, and stole the show. They put on this great match just after the god awful HHH/Steiner match, and it was like night and day. Angle was machine, Benoit was Benoit and it was nothing but great wrestling. It’s just too bad the standing ovation Benoit got from the crowd after the match doesn’t have quite the impact it once did.
1.Ric Flair: 1992 Royal Rumble – Greatest Rumble ever, and Flair was the center of it all. He entered #3 and was basically there to carry things and that meant getting the piss beat out of him by every single person that came in the ring. His performance was legendary, and still stands as the best performance in Rumble history.
Rob McNew
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chris Benoit 2004 – Would probably check in at number 2 if not for that thing, but I can’t in good conscience honor him with anything more than an honorable mention.
Bob Backlund 1993 – The old man who, pre heel turn, was still just a glorified jobber to the stars draws number 2 and hangs in until the final three.
Shawn Michaels 1995 – The first guy to go the distance. Would probably make the top five if it wasn’t for the 60 second intervals.
5.Shawn Michaels vs. HHH 2004 – This match gets largely forgotten due to the non-ending, but this was a phenomenal last man standing match between two guys who are absolute gold together. Both men absolutely laid into each other in a brutal brawl that saw HBK fight to his feet at 9, hit sweet chin music, and then collapse to the mat as both men were counted out. The double knockout in a LMS match may be over played, but I felt it worked here. The match isn’t for everyone, but it’s one of my personal favorites
4.Rey Mysterio 2006 – Why is it the guys who draw number one get remembered, but the guy who won from number two (I don’t count Vince since he was in the ring for five minutes) gets no respect. Despite the inherent stupidity of Rey winning this thing, and the stupidity of the whole “I did it for Eddie” story. This is a list of greatest performances, and anyone who goes the distance in a full length Rumble deserves to make this list. Rey set the record for longest time in the match at just over 62 minutes and won by outlasting Triple H and Randy Orton at the end.
3.HHH vs. Cactus Jack 2000 – Best singles match in Rumble history by far. Nothing else really comes close. The brawl that cemented HHH as a main event player. A 30 minute brawl that saw both men busted open. Barbed wire baseball bats, chairs, thumbtacks, this match had it all. Everything you want in a street fight.
2.John Cena 2008 – Not really for Cena’s performance since he was only in the ring for about 8 minutes, but for WWE for keeping it a secret. In the internet age we seem to know every big surprise before it happens. But for once, they worked us all. For my money when the buzzer went off, and Cena’s music hit that was the single greatest moment in Rumble history. Absolutely beautiful booking by the ‘E who deserves all the kudos in the world for providing a great swerve.
1.Ric Flair 1992 – This list starts and ends with Flair in 1992. Before the ’92 Rumble no one even came close to going to the distance. Sure Martel hung in for a while in ’91, but no one actually thought he would win. Flair hung in, worked the entire match, and proved to a new audience why he is indeed “the 60 minute man.” Bonus points go to Monsoon and Heenan’s near perfect commentary, and Flair’s epic post match promo. With a tear in my eye, this is the greatest Rumble moment of my life.
Jarrod Westerfeld
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (IC Ladder Match 2001) – There’s a whole lot to love about this match, namely the chemistry these two had to keep up the pace that they did and still produce one of the most imaginative ladder matches of our time.
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit (WWE World Title Match 2003) – It was one of those bouts that you couldn’t believe was taking place in a WWE ring as neither guy was what you would call main event caliber for this company, and they were working a match that wasn’t typical of the WWE style. To put it simply, it was a really fantastic bout.
Chris Benoit wins the Rumble (2004) – I know for a lot of people none of these should even be listed much less as honorable mentions, but I can’t help but still have feelings for these moments, particularly this one that ended a fantastic story run for Benoit on his road to Wrestlemania. The only compromise I can bring for placing these moments here is that at least they’re not in the top 5 to affect the overall rankings at the end of the article.
5.Mankind vs. The Rock (WWF Title ‘I Quit’ Match 1999) – I was originally reluctant to put this on the list for the fact that this match was violence at its pinnacle, and was not only featured on the Rumble event itself but also on Beyond the Mat, the documentary that pretty much every wrestling fan has seen and must view. This match glorified the violence that would define the Attitude Era towards its end, but the drama and the story should not be forgotten as these two characters really did something that is rarely done in a match filled with blood and excessive violence – it touched people. There you had the hapless Foley downed and fans were more than ready to sympathize with him and create the star that Mick has rightfully become today and all because he took an ass beating. How many men can say their careers were defined by that?
4.Shawn Michaels wins the Rumble (1995) – It was truly an interesting way to book the finish of this rumble as it looked like The British Bulldog was victorious in the end as a hapless Shawn dangled dangerously close to elimination behind Davey Boy. It would be the first time that the number one entrant of the Rumble would win the entire match, and it would also be the very first time I’d witness the skin the cat technique especially to tease elimination in a Battle Royale match. It was one moment that really gets overlooked a lot for various reasons.
3.Owen Hart turns on Bret Hart (1994) – This is one of those moments that really started to blur the lines of good and bad in the wrestling world for me, because at no point did I ever see Owen as the bad guy against Bret in their feud. Their match against the Quebecers solidified Owens’s argument against his older brother as legitimate; he really was a hog for the limelight and did so much just to keep young Owen out of the fast lane to superstardom. It was then followed by the promo in which Owen really solidified him as being in the right and Bret in the wrong – at least in my eyes.
2.Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (WWF World Title Street Fight Match 2000) – I wrote about this back on Week 4, and I still stand by those words. This match was just fantastic and the emotion going into it was overall tremendous. This, to me, was the best match between the two and did everything right in terms of pacing and storytelling while delivering raw carnage that you’ve come to expect of a Foley match.
1.Ric Flair wins the Rumble and the WWF World Heavyweight Title (1992) – There was a lot to like about this one, the commentary, the number of stars and talents, the interactions the build the moments. Flair winning the Rumble after an hour of in-ring action really sold him to the WWF fans as being a serious wrestler who isn’t someone to overlook just because he isn’t a big, Adonis looking star like Hulk Hogan. It was then followed by a seriously good promo in which Flair, Heenan and Perfect began celebrating the triumphant victory of the man and true World Heavyweight Champion of wrestling.
Damian Braun
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Diesel (1994) – In twenty minutes WWF did something with Kevin Nash that WCW couldn’t in two years, get him over as intimidating monster. After clearing the ring and systematically eliminating seven opponents by himself, the Diesel-push was created.
The Rock (1998) – If you watch the 1998 PPV, you’d notice that over ½ of the in ring wrestling features the Rock. Whether it’s in his ten minute IC title defense against Ken Shamrock or the fifty plus minutes he lasts in the Rumble, the Rock dominated the PPV months before he was a certifiable star.
Mick Foley (1998) – In one of my favorite Rumble moments, Mick makes three appearances in the 1998 Rumble, once for each of his alter egos. While some may question how Mick ensures Cactus, Mankind, and Dude Love didn’t compete at once, I say: you ask too many questions.
5. Kane (2001) – Kane took the Diesel-push and turned it up to eleven. Literally. In eliminating over a third of the Rumble opponents, Kane proved he was able to fight long and hard, let alone hardcore. While it had been years since he held the WWF Title, he renewed his worth in the main event scene in this one performance.
4. Bob Backland (1993) – In 1993, Bob Backland did the impossible. He started the Rumble with entry #2 as an unknown wrestler to many younger fans. Over one hour later, he lasted through Flair, Perfect, and even the Giant Gonzalez. He garnered fan sympathy and earned their respect through the singular performance. The heat Yokozuna gets for eliminating is endearing, as it proves how he so quickly became a fan favorite.
3. Chris Benoit (2004) – Extra-curriculars aside, Benoit’s performance in the 2004 was spectacular. He did what nobody before him had; he lasted from beginning to end with more than one-minute intervals, while wrestling the entire time. He also demonstrated his wrestling aptitude in taking out the biggest opponent (the Big Show) all by himself to win the event.
2. HHH & Mick Foley (2000) – The best non-Rumble match in Rumble history. This title match pitted the internet’s darling (Foley) against the man who had yet to really prove himself as WWF Champion. Yet, after a barbwire bat, handcuffs, thumbtacks, and a decisive pin over Foley, there was no doubt that HHH was indeed the Game.
1. Ric Flair (1992) – The 1992 Rumble is all about one man. Though he arrives fashionably late, there is hardly a moment in the Rumble that is not about Ric Flair. Nearly every participant goes after him for an hour straight, and he takes a beating from every single one, selling it all like a trooper. Bobby Heenan’s commentary only makes the match that much more entertaining as runs the gamut of emotions, from paranoid and pleading, to told-you-so cocky by the end. While he was multi-time NWA champion before his WWF tenure, this one match made him a credible champion to the WWF fans.
Jake Chambers
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rikishi & Too Cool spotlight dance in 2000 – One of the most ludicrously cool things about the ‘we’ll do whatever the fuck we want’ attitude of the WWF in 2000; when the pieces all fell into place during the middle of the Rumble for this dance sequence, you could only shake your head and laugh.
Mo elimination in 1995 – Many people remember the Bushwacker Luke quick ‘in and out’, but my heart has always been with Mo from Men on a Mission after he was instantly dismissed in 1995.
Mick Foley in 1998 – Probably the only time when Foley got to compete as Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mankind all in the same match… not only that but he had an extended dream-WWF hardcore battle against his long time Japanese Death Match rival Chainsaw ‘Terry Funk’ Charlie.
5. Austin eliminating many, checking his “watch” – Kane throwing out a bunch of mid-carders on the way to a phenomenal career of un-achievement may be the fashionable pick, but I prefer the exhilarating performance by an ultra-rudo Austin who tossed out every babyface that came out, to the delight of over 60,000 deviously biased Texans in 1997. There are no better examples of pure Austin magic then when he feigned boredom and checked his invisible wrist watch right before arch-enemy Bret Hart’s music hit, to the very non-heel-ish delight of a battle ready Austin.
4. Chris Benoit in 2004 – Although he didn’t have the kind of match-long winning performance of HBK or Flair, Benoit (much like Mysterio later would) spent a lot of his time in the Rumble recuperating in the corner, but there have been few endings as epic as the elimination of The Big Show. Battle royale culture proclaims that large monster wrestlers are difficult for one ‘regular sized’ person to throw over the top rope. When a monster and a smaller wrestler are left in a Rumble, history had not been kind: The Rock barely (technically didn’t even) get the Big Show out in 2000 with running momentum, and Randy Savage was unable to get anywhere near throwing out Yokozuna in 1994 despite an extended showdown between the two. All of that history was compressed into the small sized Benoit as he was left alone with a 500 pounder. Benoit’s ingenious use of a front face lock to slowly drag the Big Show over the top rope was part MMA skill, part epic showman, yet all parts engrossing. The pace at which Show’s belly tugged over the top was so perfectly realistic that it built-up such an incredible energy in the crowd, so that when Show finally flipped to the ground, the moment of impossible Benoit triumph was almost orgasmic!
3. Roddy Piper & Jake ‘the Snake’ fighting back to back in1990 – As Jake was wrapped up in the ring ropes and being double teamed by the Macho King and the Million Dollar Man, the countdown hit and in stormed the wild Piper. Roddy threw some punches, almost succumbed to a double team attack, but then turned it around with a double clothesline, and he unleashed the Snake from his trap. Back to back, like a buddy cop flick, the two slugged it out with the heels, until their shoulders almost touched and triggering a startled spin around, both poised to strike like the dubious tweeners they were known to be. Happily, they held back and then paired off with their real enemies. This moment was super special because it was intense and thrilling without being about the winner, displaying a time when the Rumble was a better scripted series of mini-stories than it has been in recent years. The drama of the Rumble doesn’t only have to take place in the final minutes of the match, and I guarantee you there is no better example of the excitement that can be achieved with the proper timing and the right combination of superstars then Piper and Roberts holding court in 1990.
2. [tie] Austin vs. Rock in 2001 / Hogan vs. Warrior in 1990, Wrestlemania preludes – Face vs. Face battles are often the highlight of Royal Rumble matches, but these two in-ring confrontations between mega-stars created butterfly-in-the-stomach fan frenzy showdowns during magically perfect moments of dramatic calm in the middle of the ring. Both sequences were so excellently captured by the WWF production crew that even ten years apart they were able to undeniably inject any wrestling fan with an equal feeling of anticipation and excitement for the eventual, all-time classic, Wrestlemania VI and X-7 matches.
1. Ric Flair in 1992 – Arguably the greatest moment in wrestling history.
Julian Bond
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (2001) – The two great Canadians put on, no doubt, one of the best ladder matches that has ever been seen and put an exclamation point on one of the best and pretty well-stacked Rumble cards ever.
Tazz vs. Kurt Angle (2001) – I was heavily into ECW at the time and when I heard that Tazz was coming to the WWE, I was totally wigging out for his arrival. When it slowly but surely came here, it was definitely well worth it as he shut the then-mega cocky and undefeatable Kurt Angle up in mere minutes. Awesome debut.
Mick Foley: Three Faces of Foley (1998) – This mention may be corny since the man hardly made a dent in the actual Rumble that year, but the fact that he came to the ring as his 3 various personas (Dude Love, Mankind, Cactus Jack) on 3 separate occasions during the match was definitely hilarious and cool to witness.
5. John Cena (2008) – I really haven’t been heavily into watching the Royal Rumble for a few years now since I usually guess who would end up winning the whole thing, but everyone has to admit that they were shocked as all hell when John Cena came in as the #30 entrant and end up winning that night. Despite the WWE and even insider reports saying that the man was out of injury until after that year’s Wrestlemania, the company gave us a rare true surprise at the sometimes too predictable, but still fun event.
4.Undertaker and Shawn Michaels (2007) – When these great legends were the remaining two in the crazy Rumble, I (like many others) were like “Oh, shit! It’s on now!”. Not only were these two great wrestlers in their own regards, but also they have had a nice history with each other (1st Hell In A Cell match, etc). So to see them back at it again for a shot at Wrestlemania and really not knowing who would come out on top was definitely a treat.
3.John Cena vs. Umaga (2007) – In my humble, the man between these two at the Rumble was the best Last Man Standing match I have ever seen. At the time, I never had any ill will against Cena and thought that he truly proved himself in the ring earlier the year prior against Triple H at Wrestlemania, but that wasn’t as crazy and enjoyable as this. What I thought was going to be standard paint-by-the-numbers special stip match turned to a bloody no-holds barred affair that made both men look like a million bucks in the process and made the whole Rumble event a must-see again for myself.
2.Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (2000) – I don’t think that I really need to get into why this match was one of the best in Rumble history. Foley, HHH, thumbtacks, barbed wire, blood, too many closed calls, a cameo by the Rock. Nuff said’.
1.Mankind vs. the Rock (1999) – This match was one of the most brutal, hard to watch bouts I have ever seen, mostly for its graphic ending. The end with Foley getting his brains bashed in with a chair unprotected multiple times, while handcuffed, firmly cemented in my mind (even after seeing Foley falling at Hell In A Cell) at the time that wrestling, while scripted, was very physically real. Great basic hardcore match, good creative finish (the Rock using Foley’s recorded “I Quit” for the win), and a sick, but memorable bloodbath ending made this the best Rumble match I’ve ever seen.
Jeremy Thomas
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rey Mysterio (2006) – I never thought I’d see Rey Rey going to WrestleMania for the main event at the time, but they did it, and I couldn’t have been happier for him. Whatever may have happened to his career after, this was a great moment for him and for us wrestling fans.
Mankind vs. The Rock (1999) – This one is epic on all sorts of levels, from the brutality of the match itself to the drama that unfolded from it, perfectly captured on Beyond the Mat. In fact, that excellent documentary is the only reason I don’t have it higher, because my memories of it are tainted a little by watching Foley’s kids being traumatized.
Kane (2001) – I’ve always been a big fan of the Big Red Machine, and this gave me a lot of hope that he may finally be on to bigger and better things. While that never materialized, this is an accomplishment he can be proud of.
5.Triple H vs. Cactus Jack (2000) – Absolutely incredible. Leading up to this match, you knew it was going to be something, but not like this. The Game absolutely made himself here, and Foley did everything to help him. This was vicious, hard-hitting, and told an exceptional story, both in the feud and in the match itself. By the end of the night, there was no question that Hunter was in the main event to stay, and Foley had secured his legacy.
4.The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels (2007) – Taker and Shawn are and always will be two of my all-time favorites, and seeing them as the final two of the Rumble was great enough as it was. The last four were Taker, Shawn, Edge and Orton. Rated RKO worked Taker over as a duo, only to have Shawn eliminate them both. They then put on what was essentially an eight-minute singles match that had me at the edge of my seat until the Dead Man dodged a Sweet Chin Music and tossed Shawn for the win. It was a great moment, and I think it was even further solidified the next year when they were #1 and 2 and went 30 minutes before Shawn got his elimination back by taking out Taker before going himself.
3.John Cena (2008) – “Oh no, he picked Cena!” Damn skippy I did. In a era where nothing is surprising and spoilers reveal stuff well in advance, this came out of freaking NOWHERE. Cena even worked us by giving an interview a week or two before the Rumble saying he was weeks away from being back. Then, during the Rumble the buzzer rang for number 30 and Cena’s music hit. The crowd went absolutely apeshit, as did the guys inside the ring. For being such a huge surprise in an age where there are no surprises (or at least good ones), this deserves a hell of a lot of credit.
2.Ric Flair (1992) – Fifty-nine minutes, twenty-six seconds. In 1992, Ric Flair was just the absolute MAN. He came in at #3 and proceeded to go the distance, eliminating Davey Boy, Kerry Von Erich, the Boss Man, and co-eliminating Sid to win the whole thing. It was a great performance that has been oft-repeated now, but never proven really tough to equal. The only, single thing that keeps this from being #1 is that Hogan had to be involved in the finish as he pulled on Sid from the outside, thus trying to make the point that even Ric Flair needed Hogan’s help to get the big win.
1.Chris Benoit (2004) – You know how I said “oft-repeated, but rarely equalled” at my number two pick? Here’s the only reason I didn’t but “never equalled.” Benoit had so much going against him here. He was the IWC’s darling and was riding a wave of popularity like he’d never seen before during his feud with Paul Heyman, but had been booked in the #1 spot due to that feud. Plus, he was on SmackDown which was seen as the “inferior” brand by the ‘E at the time. He went in, lasted over an hour and ended up with the Big Show, still relatively fresh at #24, as his final obstacle. As we would soon find out, it wasn’t too tall an obstalce and Benoit won. It was such a huge moment, and there’s no real-life event that can ruin it for me.
Mathew Sforcina
HONORABLE MENTIONS
HBK/Bulldog in 95/Benoit in 04/Mysterio in 06 – I respect anyone who can go the distance (or near enough) and keep it entertaining. Rey’s was a bit weak, and Shawn/Bulldog was quick, but it’s still impressive enough to warrent inclusion.
5.Maven 2002 – You know, the ‘Shock’ Elimination wasn’t really a spot until this. Not to say there wasn’t some shock tosses (Hogan losing to the Twin Towers for instance), but up until this year, a really shocking elimination had never occured. But with one dropkick, Maven cemented a place in Rumble History, and gave us a spot we now always expect.
4.Owen Hart, 1994 – This falls under ‘Guilty Pleasure’. I mean, sure, the heel turn was well done, and it worked, and it set off one of the better Main Event Programs in the ‘New Generation’, but still… “You’re too damn selfish, and that’s why you’re sittin’ there with a bad leg, and that’s why I kicked your leg out from under your leg!” I love that line for all the wrong reasons…
3.Jumping Bomb Angels, 1988 – In 1988, two women from Japan, without speaking, without teasing nudity, pulled out a 2/3 falls match that won over a WWF crowd with moves that wouldn’t become mainstream in the US for nearly a decade after. Ah, the WWF Women’s Tag Titles… Sure, they were brought in just for the Angels, but still… They existed. Just love this match.
2.Flair, 92 – What can I say about the best Rumble ever that hasn’t already been said? With this match, for all those WWF fans who didn’t know who Flair was or why he was so popular, Flair established himself all over again. He practically goes all the way for over an hour, and just puts in a performace of a lifetime. Best Rumble so far.
1.HHH/Cactus, 2000 – Yes, the Street Fight is an awesome match. But it’s not here because of it being a great match. The 2000 Rumble was the first WWE PPV shown live down here on PPV, and I was watching this live, and this match was the turning point, this match was the match that made me want to become a Pro Wrestler. So for that reason, this match always holds a special place in my heart, as does the event. After all, I’ll be spending my Australia Day watching the Rumble.
Michael Bauer
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Rock vs. Mankind (1999) – This was the I Quit Match in the two month slugfest between these two. Would be a Top 5, but I am still miffed by the ending.
Shawn Michaels and The British Bulldog go the distance (1995) – Personally, I can’t agree with not giving davey Boy some love from starting #2 and being there at the end also. Then again, the fact the whole 1995 Rumble was under 40 minutes makes it worth a little less.
Stone Cold wins his first Rumble (1997) – Ten eliminations, entering number six, that is impressive. Once again, controversy keeps this from being a Top 5 mention, not to mention him only lasting 45 minutes.
5. HHH vs. Cactus Jack (2000) – This was discussed two weeks ago with the Top HHH Moments, but it is worth mentioning again because the match is that damn good. And what this match so much better was the build about two weeks before, when Triple H sold a clothesline over the top rope like he saw a ghost… the ghost of Cactus Jack in the face of Mankind. The match lived up to the build, which is something that just doesn’t happen anymore.
4. Kane eliminates 11 (2001) – Truthfully, I wanted to put this higher, but there is no dispute with my Top 3, outside of the order. Kane entered the 2001 Royal Rumble at number six, which turned into a Hardcore plunder fest, and proceeded to simply dominate. After Drew Carey eliminated himself, Kane single handedly eliminated everyone entering from seven through tweleve and added five more eliminations, with some help from his brother. All in all, Kane lasted nearly 55 minutes, the second longest time in history without winning and gave us all one hell of a show.
3. Ric Flair wins the WWF Title (1992) – Ric Flair entered number 3 and went the distance after being in the Rumble for a shade under an hour. Back then, it was simply unheard of to even go more than say 40 minutes, let alone 59 plus. Now granted, he only had four eliminations, but he had the final one and that is all that matters. And what this so much better for Ric was that it gave him his first WWE Heavyweight Title reign after dominating WCW. Like most of my Honorable Mentions, the ending took away some of it for me, because it proved that it was still Hulk Hogan’s company as he simply could not lose clean.
2. Rey Mysterio wins the Rumble (2006) – Rey was the underdog here, there is no question. He was fighting for the memory of Eddie and while exploited to death, it doesn’t change anything. The performance he put on was nothing short of amazing as he entered number two and had to start against Triple H. When the final three came down to Orton, HHH, and Mysterio, even I had to say there was no chance of Mysterio. But when Mysterio dumped Triple H in the shocker of all shockers, I pulled a 180 and knew he would win. Maybe it was the curse of number 30, but I no doubt in my mind after it happened. It was the most emotional Rumble win ever and despite the expolitation and the weak title reign, it doesn’t change this one night.
1. Chris Benoit wins the Rumble (2004) – The WWE won’t admit it, but I am not scared to. Chris Benoit’s Royal Rumble win was the greatest win in the history of the event and perhaps the greatest story ever told by the Royal Rumble. Sure, Triple H came back from a serious quad injury in 2002, plus the story of Rey was great, but the journey of Chris Benoit, eighteen years in the making, was one that you could not help but be captivated by. And I will take a phrase from Jeremy Thomas, because I truly believe it. One event in the life and death of Chris Benoit can not change what this moment means to myself. That one event does not change the fact that Benoit won the Rumble in one of the most dramatic fashions ever.
So with all said and done (after much calculating and questioning my own Top 5), here is the 411 Wrestling’s Overall Top 5 Royal Rumble Performances.
HONORABLE MENTION
Kane Eliminates 11 Men (2001): 9 points (1 3rd place vote, 1 4th place vote, 4 5th place votes, 2 Honorable Mentions)
5. John Cena Returns and Wins the Rumble (2008): 15 points (2 2nd place votes, 2 3rd place votes, 1 5th place vote)
4. The Rock defeats Mankind in an I Quit Match (1999): 18 ponts (3 1st place votes, 1 4th place vote, 2 5th place votes, 3 Honorable Mentions)
3. Chris Benoit enters #1 and Wins the Rumble (2004): 23 points (3 1st place votes, 2 3rd place votes, 1 4th place vote, 4 Honorable Mentions)
2. Triple H defeats Cactus Jack in a Street Fight (2000): 34 points (1 1st place vote, 6 2nd place votes, 1 3rd place vote, 2 5th place votes, 1 Honorable Mention)
1. Ric Flair Wins the Rumble and the WWF Title (1992): 55 points (8 1st place votes, 3 2nd place votes, 1 3rd place vote)
