The 2016 Royal Rumble will take place on Sunday and this year’s match will feature Roman Reigns defending his WWE Championship against 29 other men. The Royal Rumble match has become iconic over the years and it’s one of the biggest highlights on the road to WrestleMania.
We decided to put some facts together to help you brush up on your Royal Rumble knowledge before the big show. Let’s get to it.
#10 – Three Women Have Entered The Royal Rumble Match
Throughout the history of the famous Royal Rumble match three women have been participants in the contest. Chyna entered the match in 1999 and became the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble. She then entered the match again in 2000. Beth Phoenix entered the match in 2010 and eliminated The Great Khali before she was eventually eliminated by CM Punk.
The third and final woman to enter the Royal Rumble match was Kharma who entered at number 21 in the 2012 Royal Rumble. She eliminated Hunico before she was eliminated herself by Dolph Ziggler. Could we be seeing a fourth woman enter the Royal Rumble match this year?
#9 – Roman Reigns Holds The Record For Most Eliminations In A Single Match
Roman Reigns, the man who will be defending his WWE Championship in this year’s Royal Rumble match currently holds the record for the most eliminations in a single match. Reigns eliminated 12 people in the 2014 Royal Rumble breaking Kane’s previous record of 11 which he set during the 2001 Royal Rumble match.
#8 – Only Three Wrestlers Have Won Back To Back Royal Rumbles
Although several wrestlers have won more than one Royal Rumble match, only 3 wrestlers have been victorious two years in a row. Hulk Hogan managed to pull out the big win in 1990 and 1991. Shawn Michaels did it in 1995 and 1996 and Steve Austin did it in 1997 and 1998.
If Roman Reigns successfully defends his WWE Championship this year he will be the fourth man to win consecutive Royal Rumbles.
#7 – From 2005 To 2010 Every Participant Who Was Eliminated Last From The Royal Rumble Went On To A World Title Match At WrestleMania
Despite the fact that they were eliminated last from the Royal Rumble, John Cena, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and John Cena again all went on to participate in World Championship matches at WrestleMania during their respective years.
#6 – Steve Austin Holds The Record For The Most Royal Rumble Wins Ever
Stone Cold Steve Austin has won the Royal Rumble 3 times which means he holds the record for the most Royal Rumble wins in WWE history. Steve Austin won the 30 man Royal Rumble match in 1997, 1998 and 2001. There are a few superstars who have won the Royal Rumble match twice but as of this day Stone Cold is the only WWE superstar to ever do it three times.
#5 – Hacksaw Jim Duggan Won The First Ever Royal Rumble Match
The Royal Rumble was introduced on January 24, 1998 and it was broadcast live on the USA Network. The winner of the inaugural Royal Rumble match was none other than “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Unfortunately for Duggan the Royal Rumble didn’t come with the reward of a WWE Title shot at WrestleMania when it was first introduced. Although he may not have earned the right to challenge for the belt, he still won the first ever Royal Rumble and that’s a reward in itself.
#4 – Brock Lesnar Has Only Competed In One Royal Rumble Match So Far
Obviously this won’t be a fact after the Royal Rumble match on Sunday as Brock Lesnar is set to be a participant. But up until now Brock has only competed in one Royal Rumble match, which he won in 2003. The match came down to Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker with Brock eliminating Taker to secure the victory.
Brock would go on to challenge Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 19. The match is remembered for Brock Lesnar’s infamous Shooting Star Press. Brock would win the title and stay with the company for another year before wrestling his last match for WWE at WrestleMania 20 until he returned in 2012.
#3 – Triple H And John Cena Are Tied For Most Times As Last Eliminated Superstar In A Royal Rumble Match
Triple H won the Royal Rumble in 2002. But in 2008 and 2009 he was down on his luck as he was the last man to be eliminated both years. Triple H was eliminated by John Cena in 2008 and by Randy Orton in 2009.
John Cena has also been the last man eliminated in two separate Royal Rumbles as he was eliminated last in the 2005 and 2010 Royal Rumble matches. He was eliminated by Batista in the 2005 Royal Rumble and he was eliminated by Edge in the 2010 Royal Rumble.
#2 – Only Two WWE Superstars Have Entered The Match At Number Two And Won
If being the number 1 entrant in the Royal Rumble is rough then being number 2 has to be just as bad right? In the history of the Royal Rumble match only two people have ever entered the match at number 2 and won.
Vince McMahon entered at number 2 in the 1999 Royal Rumble and won the match by eliminating Steve Austin who entered the match first. Rey Mysterio also entered at number 2 in the 2005 Royal Rumble match. He set a history making record by managing to stay in the match for a time of 1:02:12. He currently holds the record for the longest time spent in a single Royal Rumble match.
#1 – Edge Holds The Record For Shortest Amount Of Time Spent In The Match By A Royal Rumble Winner
Edge made an epic and memorable return when he entered the 2010 Royal Rumble as the 29th entrant. Edge ended up winning the match and he did it in record time. Edge spent a total of 7 minutes and 19 seconds in the 2010 Royal Rumble as he was the last man standing after eliminating John Cena.
Edge would go on to challenge Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 26. Edge unfortunately lost the match after Jericho illegally used the World Championship belt as a record. After the match Edge got a little bit of redemption as he speared Jericho through the barricade outside the ring.
