ALL 58* SURPRISE ENTRANTS IN ROYAL RUMBLE HISTORY, RANKED
Since its inception in 1988, the Royal Rumble match has been one of the most popular and digestible hours on the WWE calendar. The Rumble is a rapidly changing, amorphous match, made up of intriguing new pairings, a steady stream of kewl entrances, and of course, many big surprises.
There have been 58 surprise entrants in rumble history (by my count, feel free to correct me angrily on twitter). We (I) will attempt to rank them all below.
This took forever to research and write, please share it with every person you have ever met who can tolerate pro wrestling.
So what makes someone a Royal Rumble Surprise?
We are only counting matches that happened at the Royal Rumble event, not house show matches, or the rumble that happened in Saudi Arabia which I’m still not 100% sure I didn’t hallucinate.
Surprise Entrant= someone who is not advertised, and not on weekly TV .
In wordier terms, a surprise will be defined as any wrestler who was not advertised to appear at the Royal Rumble, and is either a) not on the regular WWF / Raw/Smackdown roster or b) a regular on the roster who is known to be out for an extended period of time, usually due to injury.
This disqualifies people who lost a world title match on the show and just randomly ended up in the Rumble match, as well as the Nunzio / Scotty 2 Hotty / Curtis Axel types who were on the roster and snuck in because WWE needed bodies. This also disqualifies everybody before 1998, as the 90’s “surprises” such as Carlos Colon, Dick Murdoch, The Headhunters, Dory Funk Jr. and of course Latin Lover were advertised beforehand (often on WWF Royal Rumble Report segments that aired on WWF Superstars /the non-union Canadian equivalent, WWF Cavalcade of Wrestling).
I am using the following criteria to rank these 58 surprise appearances:
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Are they a “legend” in professional wrestling? (Are they are such a big star that we don’t need to explain why they’re randomly in the Royal Rumble? If not, why are they here?)
Did the fans react?
Did they last long in the match?
Did they look good in the match?
Did their appearance in the match lead to anything?
How surprising was it that they showed up on that night?
Sample:
Technically doesn’t count* but would be dead last — Doug Gilbert, 1996
Are they a legend? : More of a Memphis notable
Did the fans react?: Noooooooooooo
Did he last long?: 2:59 // Eliminated by THE MASTODON Vader
Did he look good?: No, look at those pants.
Did it lead anywhere?: Directly back to Memphis, Tennessee.
Surprise Level: An inconsequential surprise, like someone else’s mail in your mailbox.
*Doug Gilbert won a Royal Rumble in the USWA to qualify for the WWF Royal Rumble, so his presence was known to a small percentage of the audience.
THE LIST
58 — Dolph Ziggler, Men’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Gonna say no?
So why are they there?: DZ won the US Title at TLC 2017 in December. On the following Smackdown, Dolph declared the fans unworthy of his presence and walked away from WWE, leaving the US Title in the ring. He was briefly taken off Smackdown TV as the rumours began to collect and roll downhill. Is Ziggler really leaving WWE? Is he going to come back in the main event, or at least with a new gimmick? This was actually beginning to become somewhat interesting.
Two weeks later, Dolph entered the Royal Rumble at #30 and got eliminated in two minutes.
Did the fans react?: Moreso than in 2012, anyway.
Did they last long?: 2:01, eliminated by Finn Balor.
Did they look good?: He did not look good, and worse than just generally looking “bad” it looked like a nail in the coffin moment for young Dolph and the WWE. Of course, DZ would last another year and is still there to this day (but has been taken off of TV and again seems to be leaving. Seasons turn turn turn).
Did it lead to anything?: Dolph Ziggler live at The Comedy Barn in Corntucky, Tennessee.
Surprise Level: Mild. Dolph Ziggler live at All-Elite Wrestling sometime in 2019.
57 — Boogeyman, 2015
Are they a legend?: Nope
So why are they there?: To give Bray Wyatt an equally-spooky opponent for a minute or two.
Did the fans react?: Yes. The Boogeyman’s entrance would get a pop even if nobody in the crowd has heard of The Boogeyman. Possibly more so.
Did they last long?: 0:47
Did they look good?: Like, physically? Sure.
Did it lead to anything?: More spoopy Bray Wyatt stuff.
Surprise Level: Only in that it is always surprising to see a human person eat worms.
56 — ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, 2012
Are they a legend?: Tough call. If Mid-South Wrestling won the war, yes for sure. In this universe, soft maybe.
Did the fans react?: Shockingly big pop for the Hacksaw.
Did they last long?: 0:57
Did they look good?: I mean he lasted a minute looking like that ^ so considering those factors, pretty great.
Did it lead to anything?: Numerous USA chants?
Surprise Level: While not on the roster in 2013, Hacksaw was a standard bearer for WWE around this time and he would show up regularly. His appearances were fun, but not super surprising.
55 — Kevin Nash, 2014
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: Yes, but not a patch on 2011.
Did they last long?: 2:36
Did they look good?: Kevin Nash usually looks pretty great when he shows up. Mostly because his move-set is unchanged from 1997.
Did it lead to anything?: He had already returned and gone again, but this appearance was a precursor to the WWE Hall of Fame and an nWo reunion or three.
Surprise Level: Big Daddy Cool’s Gone Grey — AFI
54 — Bob Backlund, 2000
Are they a legend?: Unequivocally yes.
Did the fans react?: Yes, on this day New York remembered Bob Backlund.
Did they last long?: 2:00 even. The concrete jungle was not where dreams were made of :(
Did they look good?: No, not in any way, by any definition.
Did it lead to anything?: A very brief run in ’00 where Backlund managed Kurt Angle.
Surprise Level: A new Trump Tower in New York. Not surprising or pleasant to the eyes.
53/52/51 — The Announcers (Lawler/Booker T/Michael Cole), 2012
Are they legends?: Yes, they are all legends (Cole via longevity if nothing else)
Did the fans react?: Yes, especially to Booker.
Did they last long?: Lawler 0:43, Booker 4:40, Cole 1:23, lol
Did they look good?: Booker T did? It was a fun gag to help us through the 2012 Rumble, but we had seen it before and would see it again.
Did it lead to anything?: No, thankfully.
Surprise Level: Three consecutive pies to the face.
Baptism by fire and/or knife-edge chop
50 — Daniel Puder, 2005
Are they a legend?: Big no.
Did the fans react?: Bigger no.
Did they last long?: Big big no. He lasted 4:09 and was chopped pissless the entire time.
Did they look good?: Well he looked tough, after the public hazing / death by chop that occurred here.
Did it lead to anything?: Uh hmm jeez well if memory serves me not a whole heck of a lot —
Surprise Level: Like watching a particularly violent Worldstar video from 2013 that sticks with you to this day for some reason.
— -
In recent years, the Royal Rumble has been used as an effective tool to debut up-and-coming wrestlers from NXT. Starting with Bo Dallas in 2013 (who, for the record, won a tournament on the day of the Rumble to qualify, and thus was advertised and does not qualify for this) NXT wrestlers have become a Royal Rumble staple. Incidentally, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ricochet, Alister Black and/or The Velveteen Dream fill this role in 2019. Note: There are a few NXT debuts that get bumped up on the list due to extenuating circumstances (them being very good).
49 — Rusev, 2014
Are they a legend?: In my heart.
Did the fans react?: Not really, sadly.
Did they last long?: 7:06
Did they look good?: 0 eliminations, but took it four people to eliminate him.
Did it lead to anything?: Dog Ziggler
Surprise Level: Belarus over Sweden, 2002 Torino Olympics
48 — Adam Cole, Men’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Give it a few years.
Did the fans react?: BIG POP in Philly. The Philadelphia fans know about Adam Cole.
Did they last long?: 6:52, eliminated by Rey Mysterio
Did they look good?: Well he was a heel selling his ribs, but he still looked pretty solid.
Did it lead to anything?: Not yet on the main roster, but’s hard to think Cole won’t be in WWE one day. He’s doing great in NXT.
Surprise Level: Systems were shocked.
47 — Tye Dillinger, 2017
Are they a legend?: (trying not to make a joke about him dating Peyton Royce)
Did the fans react?: Undeniably yes. The fans wanted Tye to come out at #10, because his nickname is The Perfect Ten. He did, and the fans cheered loudly. Wrestling fans aren’t hard to please.
Did they last long?: 5:27.
Did they look good?: “Good” is strong. He looked frisky.
Did it lead to anything?: Tye has had a few moments on Smackdown, but he sadly doesn’t get much TV time. He feels like a fringe candidate to jump to AEW in 2019 actually.
Surprise Level: It’s not surprising that it happened, it’s surprising that they decided to go through with it. Actually, even that wasn’t too surprising. But boy did the fans enjoy it (the first time).
(Mostly) Old Legends Dying Hard
Oftentimes throughout Royal Rumble lore, wrestlers would make a surprise appearance or triumphant return to WWE, only to be absolutely shithoused in a prompt and memorable manner. This brings us to another classic staple of the Royal Rumble : surprise entrants who exist only to get immediately demolished.
Pack of dudes getting their asses kicked in record/funny ways (46–38)
— —
46 — JBL, 2014
Are they a legend?: I’m gonna say yes, plz like & subscribe & shout your opinion at me in the comments.
Did the fans react?: YES WE LOVE THE ANNOUNCER BIT
Did they last long?: 0:49
Did they look good?: He did nothing in the match, but him getting back on commentary like nothing happened was pretty funny. A net positive!
Did it lead to anything?: Another few months of JBL on commentary, net negative.
Surprise Level: Mild. It was fun, but it had been done.
45 — The Hurricane, Men’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Love him, but nah probably not.
So why were they there?: Hurri-jokes?
Did the fans react: Yes, gotta say they did.
Did they last long?: 45 seconds, eliminated by the WWE’s then-Superhero, John Cena.
Did they look good?: In a manner of speaking, yes.
Did it lead to anything?: Hurricane may have gained a few twitter followers?
Surprise Level: Well it was spoiled on social media, but not by WWE so that’s on me/yourself.
44— The Godfather, 2013
Are they a legend?: If you really loved the WWF in 1999, yes
Did the fans react?: Less than you would expect. Perhaps we have finally hit a tipping point with the pimp character from 1999.
Did they last long?: ^^ 0:05 lol
Did they look good?: As good as you can look in 5 seconds.
Did it lead to anything?: A fantastic exit but not a whole lot else.
Surprise Level: PGodfather! This was a fairly big surprise in 2013.
43— Ricardo Rodriguez, 2012
Are they a legend?: He is in my house. But objectively no :(
So why were they there?: THE LOLS
Did the fans react?: Yes. They reacted to the tease of Del Rio, and actually popped big once they saw they were getting Ricardo.
Did they last long?: 2:19 :( :(
Did they look good?: The entrance looked great. But he lost to a wedgie from Santino. So I don’t know your mileage may vary on that one.
Did it lead to anything?: Ricardo had a brief run as a singles wrestler, often working under a mask in NXT as El Locale. El Locale did not last very long.
Surprise Level: A fun new free video game or app that you enjoy, but forget that same day, and two weeks later the thought of ever seeing it again makes you cringe.
42 — El Torito, 2014
Are they a legend?: He was part of Wee LC, which is legendary yes.
Did the fans react?: It took them a while to get there, but once they realized Torito was coming to the ring and not either Fernando or Diego, it seemed like they were on board.
Did they last long?: Not long enough by about 20 minutes.
Did they look good?: Parece un millón de dólares. Torito looked great, and a lot of guys were willing to sell for him a little.
Did it lead to anything?: See “are they a legend?”
Surprise Level: A good and fun surprise, but a small surprise by any definition.
41— Honky Tonk Man, 2001
Are they a legend?: I’m leaning yes.
Did the fans react: A shockingly big pop for the Tonkman. One man’s 80’s comedy jobber is another’s Greatest Intercontinental Champion of All-Time.
Did they last long?: Nooooooooo, 1:16
Did they look good?: He looked like the Honky Tonk Man always looks. He didn’t look bad. Having said that:
Did it lead to anything?: Long sideburns, hair being slicked back.
Surprise Level: Your one uncle who never ages. It’s always surprising to see that he looks the same as he did in 1997.
40 — Jerry Lawler, 1997
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: Yes, to a unique and brand-new idea.
Did they last long?: 4 Seconds, lol.
Did they look good?: This was the first instance of an announcer standing up out of their chair to enter the Royal Rumble, which is now a fun trope the WWE goes back to from time to time. So even though he lasted four seconds, this actually fit King’s real WWF job (douchebag heel announcer) perfectly. Overall this was awesome for King’s character.
Did it lead to anything?: Not particularly. A minor snowflake atop a mountainous 60 year career.
Surprise Level: Watching somebody fall into a lake immediately after getting onto the boat.
For 20 years, King’s performance was the Gold Standard of jabroni shitbags getting cranked in the Royal Rumble. Until..
39/38 — Jack Gallagher/Mark Henry, 2017
Are they a legend?: JG — Not yet anyway // MH — I want to say Super Yes?
Did the fans react?: Not much for JG at the start, but absolutely by the end. Henry got a TEXAS-SIZED POP~~!
Did they last long?: 3:20 and 3:17, respectively.
Did they look good?: Shockingly good, both.
Did it lead to anything?: MH sadly no not a ton, JG is still employed at least?
Surprise Level: “Huh, they let the umbrella man in the rumble”. The three minutes that ensued was great stuff. Classic Royal Rumble comedy, here. BTW you could argue that Henry was a main roster wrestler at this time but I would kindly direct you to my butt and/or ass I’m counting them together.
Returns that lasted / reoccured (37–29)
Throughout the years, the Royal Rumble has also been used as a tool to bring wrestlers back after an extended absence, sometimes changing their character entirely. For example:
37 — Mabel, 1999
Are they a legend?: No
So why were they there?: Wellp —
Did the fans react?: Nope.
Did they last long?: 1:26, until he was eliminated by the entire Ministry of Darkness and F*CKING SACRIFICED TO THE HIGHER POWER BY THE UNDERTAKER
Did they look good?: He looked good in every single way that a 500 pound human can look good.
Did it lead to anything?: Yes! A new, full-time character was created (Viscera)& a main event heel character (Undertaker) got put over in a very unique and memorable way.
Surprise Level: I mean the Undertaker abducted Mabel live on Pay Per View in the middle of a match, yeah it was pretty wild.
36— DDP — 2015
Are they a legend?: Gonna say easily yes, for his work on Jake the Snake alone.
Did the fans react?: Not really for his entrance, HUGE POPZ after a few Diamond Cutters. Even if the fans didn’t remember, DDP won them over.
Did they last long?: 2:47
Did they look good?: Yes! Diamond Cutters everywhere! Page was banging dudes all over the place ! (uh)
Did it lead to anything?: DDP was officially welcomed back into the WWE family onscreen. It officially led to his Hall of Fame induction and the occasional Diamond Cutter on Raw.
Surprise Level: This was the first DDP appearance on WWE TV in years. Indeed t’were a big ol’bang
35 — Goldust, 2013
Are they a legend?: Million percent yes.
Did the fans react?: Listen for yourself ^^ (For the benefit of anyone reading after that clip gets pulled, yes.)
Did they last long?: 9:41, pretty solid.
Did they look good?: As good as a 40 year old in a golden body suit can.
Did it lead to anything?: The awesome Rhodes Dynasty tag team run that summer.
Surprise Level: The name was remembered. This was also pretty much the height of Cody Rhodes vs Goldust. I don’t think it ever got this good when they were feuding.
34 — Haku, 2001
Are they a legend?: I would say yes? Definitely to his face anyway.
Did the fans react?: Yes. Haku was in WCW under the name Meng, and won the WCW Hardcore Title two weeks prior to the Rumble. This was the WCW Hardcore Champion showing up in the Royal Rumble. It was a big surprise and a boot to the rotting, bloated carcass of WCW.
Did they last long?: 2:51, not bloody long enough.
Did they look good?: Yes! Haku got offense in on Taker and Kane.
Did it lead to anything?: Yes!! Another (far too brief) run in WWE
Surprise Level: Running into an old ex who looks great but also is capable of murdering the dog and then murdering you before the dog hits the ground.
33 — Road Dogg, 2012
Are they a legend?: Oh You Didn’t Know? (actually have no idea on this one.)
Did the fans react?: Yes, it’s really an indelible entrance.
Did they last long?: 4:55.
Did they look good?: Yes, Dogg has that Kevin Nash factor going on. He does the same stuff he did in 1998.
Did it lead to anything?: A New Age Outlaws return and a tag team title run in 2013, which remains baffling to this day.
Surprise Level: Big shock, it had been a while.
32 — Bubba Ray Dudley, 2015
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: A standing ovation and a loud ECW chant for Bubba Ray in Philly. As an aside, I feel like the fact that he came in at #3 really sent this over the edge. WWE usually get to their surprises in the 10–19 portion of the rumble. They got this surprise in right away, and the crowd went bananas for it.
Did they last long?: 5:22
Did they look good?: Yes! Two eliminations for Bubba Ray.
Did it lead to anything?: A quick Dudley Boyz return that summer.
Surprise Level: Delicious Rum Ham
31 — Big Show, 2001
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: Yes.
Did they last long?: WELLLLL ITS THE BIG NOOO. 1:23.
Did they look good?: Tough to say. He eliminated 2 people in under 90 seconds, and chokeslammed The Rock through a table. But considering he got eliminated in 1:23 (and was sent off TV for 6 months to lose weight) he didn’t look great?
Did it lead to anything?: It led to two decades of thunder, baby.
Surprise Level: WELLLLLLLLLLLLL it was pretty big actually if I remember correctly.
30 — Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, Men’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Already in Mexico and probably one day in WWE too.
Did the fans react?: Yes. In fact he interrupted a Drifter song, and the crowd still loved it.
Did they last long?: 29:24 ! EL IDOLO.
Did they look good?: Looked like a star in the making
Did it lead to anything?: Almas is now a consistent highlight on Smackdown, currently feuding with Rey Mysterio and having 4* + matches on a weekly basis.
Surprise Level: ¡ Gran sorpresa!
29 — Sami Zayn, 2016
Are they a legend?: In NXT (and Quebec) yes.
Did the fans react?: Big Time. Sami had debuted on Raw in Montreal in May 2015, was introduced and endorsed by Bret Hart, and had an awesome match vs John Cena where Zayn separated his shoulder. He was left off the main roster to heal up, but even the casual fans knew about Sami, the kid who threw out his shoulder challenging the GOAT in the US Open Challenge. That pushes him above Almas in my eyes, even though his stay in the Rumble was far shorter.
Did they last long?: 4:55, tossed by Braun Stroman.
Did they look good?: Yes. He ran wild and got to toss Kevin Owens out, kickstarting the WWE portion of their decade-long feud.
Did it lead to anything?: ^^^
Surprise Level: Habs over Kings in 1993. A surprise, but the closer we inched to the day, the more inevitable it became.
Women’s Royal Rumble 2018
The 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble was a match built almost entirely around surprises. There’s never been a rumble match, or maybe a match in general, that was so strongly controlled by the big returning wrestlers. After about #9, you felt like any living female WWE wrestler ever could be coming down the aisle next. It was unique and very exciting in the moment.
More importantly, it was a reunion tour that also managed to make the current stars look great (for the most part), which is something WWE struggles with a lot.
28— Jacqueline, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Maybe not quite? She is a former Miss Texas though. Perhaps in the pageant world?
Did the fans react?: Yes. I don’t think her theme has any oomph, which hurt.
Did they last long?: 1:52
Did they look good?: Dumped pretty much immediately by Nia Jax.
Did it lead to anything?: Not particularly. To be fair, Jackie is 54 and long retired.
Surprise Level: Not mind blowing, she got a little bit of a raw deal in terms of her draw, but her appearance was still part of a great overall package in this match.
27 — Kairi Sane, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Ask me again in 2030.
Did the fans react?: Not a ton at the start, but they were on board by the end. Her elimination felt too sudden, and the crowd reacted as such.
Did they last long?: 4:49.
Did they look good?: (See picture ^^ anytime Kairi can bust out an Insane Elbow the answer to that question will be yes)
Did it lead to anything?: The WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles are returning in February. Kairi Sane and Io Shirai will be champs sooner than later.
Surprise Level: Not everybody in the crowd knew who Kairi was, but those who did enjoyed it I’m sure.
26 — Ember Moon, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Ask me again in 2025.
Did the fans react?: Pretty strongly, yes.
Did they last long?: 6:14.
Did they look good?: She looked great, even hitting a one-armed version of her finisher on eventual winner Asuka.
Did it lead to anything?: More dominance on NXT and not a ton on the main roster.
Surprise Level: Big and enjoyable surprise. It felt like more people knew Ember from her match with Shayna Bayzler the night before, but nobody really expected her to be in the Rumble.
25 — Vickie Guerrero, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: If you really liked WWE in 2011, yes.
Did the fans react?: EXCUSE ME elicits a Pavlovian hatred at this point.
Did they last long?: 0:57 of pure shrieking.
Did they look good?: Yes, great. Well, not in a wrestling sense.
Did it lead to anything?: Sadly no more VG, mercifully no more Excuse Me.
Surprise Level: The nails on a chalkboard scene in Jaws/every movie from 1985–99.
24/23— Kelly Kelly / Torrie Wilson, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they legends?: That might be strong, but they are memorable characters who were representative of an era in pro wrestling.
Did the fans react?: Yes, the fans really remembered Torrie and Kelly, and were happy to see them.
Did they last long?: Torrie 3:04, Kelly 5:02
Did they look good?: I mean,
Did it lead to anything?: Not yet, although WHO AMONG US doesn’t want to see a Torrie Wilson/Kelly Kelly match at least a little bit now.
Surprise Level:
22 — Michelle McCool, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: She certainly has the kayfabe credentials to be one.
Did the fans react?: Michelle was also hurt by having a nondescript theme, but the crowd chanted UNDERTAKER really loud at her which is a kind of reaction.
Did they last long?: 8:38 and 5 eliminations (!)
Did they look good?: Tough one. She looked great in kayfabe, eliminating 5 people (!!) but was a little rusty, and her booking was so strong that it made her look worse, if that makes sense? It was too much. Michelle eliminated three full-time wrestlers (Sonya Deville, Lana, Liv Morgan) got in on the Vickie Guerrero elim (or is that .5 of an elimination, like .5 of a sack in football?) AND she tossed Molly Holly, a decision which I am irrationally upset about to this day.
Did it lead to anything?: No, which makes the decision to keep her so strong a little strange, but the door is always open I suppose.
Surprise Level: It was very surprising to see Michelle McCool pull a Goldberg on the undercard of the women’s division in 2018, yes. Wish we would have gotten a spear. Or at least a tombstone.
21 — Molly Holly, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: I’m gonna say yes, she was two decades ahead of her time at least. WWE is only now ready for a Molly Holly.
Did the fans react?: An appreciative and welcoming pop.
Did they last long?: 4:04, eliminated by Michelle McCool, everything is awful and nothing makes sense.
Did they look good?: She looked ready to step into a feud tomorrow.
Did it lead to anything?: Not yet. A hall-of-fame invitation is definitely in her future, if for no other reason than there’s a quota to hit every year. But she deserves it and it would be awesome to see her back in the ring.
Surprise Level:
20 — Lita, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Undoubtedly yes.
Did the fans react?: Big reaction for Lita.
Did they last long?: 5:51, 2 eliminations (Tamina, who is only two years younger than Lita somehow, and Mandy Rose, which is less excusable)
Did they look good?: ^^
Did it lead to anything?: An appearance in a tag team with with Trish Stratus at WWE Evolution.
Surprise Level: It was very nice to hear her horrendous theme song again :)
19 — Beth Phoenix, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Probably? For sure if she wrestled for a longer period of time.
Did the fans react?: Yes, this was really well done. The big, bad Nia Jax had just cleared the ring, and out came THE GLAMAZON to slay the beast.
Did they last long?: 2:22
Did they look good?: She looks ready to step into the ring tomorrow.
Did it lead to anything?: A seed was planted for a future Natalya/Beth match.
Surprise Level: Beth has been showing up more and more on WWE programming, but the fact that this was booked so well really put it over the top.
18 — Trish Stratus, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: Million percent.
Did the fans react?: The fans expected Ronda Rousey at #30 I think, but this was a fine compromise. The crowd wasn’t ever going to turn on this match like they did the 2014 Royal Rumble, but putting Trish at #30 was a smart way to guarantee that.
Did they last long?: 5:36.
Did they look good?: Three elimination in 5 minutes, a hall-of-fame PER/60 Elimination ratio.
Did it lead to anything?: It looked like we were heading toward Alexa vs Trish at Evolution, but that seems to be off the table with Alexa’s injury. Maybe we will see it one day.
Surprise Level: Seeing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Even if all signs are pointing there, it’s still a heartwarming surprise aw ❤ :)
17/16 — Bella Twins, Women’s Rumble 2018
Are they legends?: Yes? They’re at least big stars who are very much still in the public eye.
Did the fans react?: Yes, for both of them.
Did they last long?: Brie 11:58, Nikki 16:30.
Did they look good?: They finished final 3. Hugely successful as surprise entrants go.
Did it lead to anything?: Nikki has since had the best match of her career vs Ronda Rousey at WWE Evolution 2018. I would think both Bellas have an outside shot at appearing in the 2019 Women’s Rumble.
Surprise Level: Not huge, though there were rumours that both were retired. It was a nice surprise, but not a big surprise?
— -
15/14 — Booker T/Diesel, 2011
Are they legends?: Shucky ducky quack quack.
Did the fans react?: Absolutely massively to both.
Did they last long?: Booker 1:08, Diesel 2:45
Did they look good?: Briefly, yeah.
Did it lead to anything?: Yes. Booker = a commentary run to this day, Nash = a Ladder match vs HHH somehow, Matt Stryker = fired for being a complete dipshit.
Surprise Level: These would be much higher if not for what is famously accepted as the worst commentary performance in WWE history by Stryker, a performance that without exaggeration led to his removal from the commentary booth almost immediately thereafter. Pretty huge and fun surprises, both gleefully ruined by Matt Stryker.
13 — Rob Van Dam, 2009
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: Massive ‘ol pop in Philadelphia
Did they last long?: 13:56! Not bad for an unsigned RVD.
Did they look good?: Yes, one might say it was Vintage Rob Van Dam.
Did it lead to anything?: No, this was a one-off. RVD would eventually return to WWE, but not for another few years.
Surprise Level: Huge and out of nowhere.
12 — Rey Mysterio, Men’s Rumble 2018
Are they a legend?: 100,000% yes
Did the fans react?: It was a cathartic reaction.
Did they last long?: 9:39, entering at #27.
Did they look good?: Vurry. This was a big surprise and a poetic bookend to the fans shitting all over poor Mysterio for not being Daniel Bryan in 2014.
Did it lead to anything?: Mysterio v Orton in a CHAIRS MATCH at TLC 2018~! No but seriously Rey is having a good run since he’s been back.
Surprise Level: THATS MY PUEBLO
11/10 — Mankind / Dude Love (Cactus was advertised), 1998
Are they legends?: Yes (maybe not the Dude if we’re talking Win-Loss record).
Did the fans react?: Yes they did!
Did they last long?: No they did not! Mankind 2:07, Dude Love 7:53.
Did they look good?: Soft yes? It was a quick stay, but Foley certainly didn’t look bad. 3 elims total for Mankind and the Dude.
Did it lead to anything?: A fun continuation of one of the most unique and memorable stories of the Attitude era.
Surprise Level: Big surprise, fondly remembered. I guess we’re slightly bending our own rules here because if Mick Foley is on your main roster, aren’t all three of these guys on the main roster? If somebody has multiple personalities, should they all be considered separate employees? Do the three faces of Foley have separate contracts? Is he getting triple pay here? I don’t know I’m inside the top 10 let’s just keep going.
9 — Mick Foley, 2004
Are they a legend?: Yes
Did the fans react?: They went Banana!
Did they last long?: 0:43, but long enough to make the perfect impact, eliminating Randy Orton.
Did they look good?: Yes, briefly.
Did it lead to anything?: Three months of programming designed to elevate Randy Orton to the main event level, culminating in the amazing Foley/Orton match at Backlash 2004.
Surprise Level: Surprising in a familiar sort of way.
8/7 — Jimmy Snuka / Roddy Piper, 2008
Are they legends?: Yes, both for sure unquestionably.
Did the fans react?: BIG PAP AT THE GAHDAN. The escalation of Piper’s pop after Snuka has already been out gives me goosebumps every time. Snuka gets a “oh cool!” pop, but when those bagpipes hit, and the fans realize they’re going to see Piper vs Snuka one last time, it’s a standing ovation.
Did they last long?: Snuka 2:43 // Piper 1:00.
Did they look good?: Nope no uhnun no sir nope no. But it was still awesome to see them, and more than that, seeing New York City give these two icons their love and respect remains heart-warming to this day.
Did it lead to anything?: Yes! You can trace this string to the big ol’ ball of yarn that was Snuka/Piper/Steamboat v Chris Jericho 1v3 @ Mania 22 a year later.
Surprise Level: YOOGE MIKE, YOOGE!
6 — Kharma, 2012
Are they a legend?: In my heart, yes.
Did the fans react?: A frustratingly big reaction considering the 0 that has followed.
Did they last long?: 1:02 :(
Did they look good?: She gave Dolph Ziggler a butterfly facebuster and fucking press slammed Hunico over the top rope and out. Kharma didn’t just look good, she looked indestructible. For one minute :(
Did it lead to anything?: NOT YET BUT GIVE ME KHARMA vs RONDA OR GIVE ME DEATH and YES I will wait until 2030.
Surprise Level: 9 :o ‘s out of 10.
5 — Beth Phoenix, 2010
Are they a legend?: See #19.
Did the fans react?: Huge OH SH!!!T WTF pop.
Did they last long?: 1:37 :( but she made the most of her 90 seconds.
Did they look good?: An all-time classic Royal Rumble moment.
Did it lead to anything?: Beth continuing to be great for the remainder of her career.
Surprise Level: A genuinely big and fun surprise.
4 — Edge, 2010
Are they a legend?: Yes, but full disclosure this is a Canadian blog and we are unapologetically pro-Edge.
Did the fans react?: BIG POP FOR THE EDGESTER.
Did they last long?: 7:37, HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE shoots, he scores!
Did they look good?: (that means Edge won the match^ )
Did it lead to anything?: Edge’s final run in WWE.
Surprise Level: Similar (but if I’m being honest, not even close) to our #1. This was a good attempt to recreate a legendary moment, and a fairly huge moment in its own right.
3 — Chris Jericho, 2013
Are they a legend?: Absolutely yes and a top 25 all-time contender.
Did the fans react?: Walls indeed were broken down. It’s a contender for biggest pop of Jericho’s career.
Did they last long?: 47:53 ! This is the unofficial Surprise Entrant record time by about 21 minutes.
Did they look good?: 47:53 !!!!!! And two eliminations.
Did it lead to anything?: Well again to be honest to myself and my Canadian brethren, the worst Jericho run of his WWE career in 2013.
Surprise Level: You always kind of expect Jericho to show up, but it was a surprise to see him not only enter the match, but last so long in it.
2 — AJ Styles, 2016
Are they a legend?: Absolutely yes and I will fight you if you disagree.
Did the fans react?: Total Nonstop Reaction.
Did they last long?: 28:58
Did they look good?: Like a Superstar.
Did it lead to anything?: AJ Styles becoming the best wrestler in the WWE for three straight years.
Surprise Level: “YES, they actually did it!”
1- John Cena, 2008
Are they a legend?: Yes.
Did the fans react?: A pop that will live in infamy.
Did they last long?: 8:28, Cenawinslol.
Did they look good?: See previous.
Did it lead to anything?: Your Wrestlemania 22 main event.
Surprise Level: No less than the biggest surprise and greatest moment in Royal Rumble history. John Cena tore his pec in October of 2007. The fact that he was in the 2008 Royal Rumble is mind-blowing to this day.
If you made it to the end, thanks for reading this beast. Merry Royal Rumble season and a Happy Wrestlemania to you and yours.
Twitter — @mattederer / @ sportsfap
