There’s a psychology to every match and the Royal Rumble is no exception. John Cena and Sheamus were two of the biggest stars, alone in the ring. After a battle between them resulted in both superstars being downed, it was time for a big name to hit and join the fray. Instead, we got Hornswoggle, who lasted a mind boggling 10 minutes in the match.
The Royal Rumble was a great idea from the moment it was created. However, in its early years, WWF didn’t quite have the roster depth to fill out 30 spots. In 1993, they turned to Carlos Colon to make a cameo appearance. No one really knew who Colon was, but we did get some great unintentional humor from Gorilla Monsoon at the announce table, describing the 44 year old as a “youngster.”
The Santino/Santina Marella characters were great comic relief. Throwbacks to the Attitude Era (despite Marella joining the company after that era was over), there was a place for Marella’s comedy in WWE. That place was not in the women’s Royal Rumble, taking the spot of a female superstar who deserved the chance to showcase her skills.
After having been released a little over a year ago because she was uninteresting and terrible in the ring, Nia Jax made a surprise return at No. 30 in the 2023 Royal Rumble. The reaction was not great, as fans were terrified WWE might have her win the match and earn a prime title opportunity at Wrestlemania. Thankfully, she did not.
Royal Rumble spots are precious. If WWE needs a filler, they can give a young guy an opportunity. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t love to see legends make cameos. But Hacksaw Jim Duggan? Not a single person had any interest in seeing this man back at 58 years old.
The 2018 Royal Rumble was awesome. It remains one of the few modern Rumbles that is actually good. Dolph Ziggler’s inclusion did not contribute to that fact. Just one month prior, Ziggler had seemingly quit WWE, vacating his U.S. Championship. His reward? The coveted No. 30 spot in the Royal Rumble and a chance to potentially main event Wrestlemania? Fans weren’t having it.
Shane McMahon’s return in 2016 after years away from the company garnered one of the greatest reactions in WWE history. By 2022, fans had completely had enough of Shane — not an in ring talent — soaking up big spots on cards. Not only did Shane steal a spot in the awful 2022 Royal Rumble, but he made it to the final three, despite there being not even the slightest chance he was ever going to win it.
The 2001 Royal Rumble is one of the greatest of all time. But it is not without its flaws, the most glaring of which was the inane inclusion of Drew Carey. Apparently, according to Jim Ross, Carey knew very little about professional wrestling. He merely took up time and someone else’s spot in the Rumble, only to eliminate himself shortly after entering the ring.
It’s hard to image there will ever be a less interesting or worse Wrestlemania match than Michael Cole vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler at Wrestlemania 27. Cole is a true legend in WWE, but literally no one wanted to see him wrestle. One that match was over, fans thought they were done with Cole entering a ring to do anything other than conduct an interview. When he rose from the desk in 2012 to enter the match, no one wanted to see it.
One of the most beloved superstars of all time, Rey Mysterio received the single worst negative reaction of any Royal Rumble entrant ever. His crime? Simply not being Daniel Bryan. In 2014, at the height of the YES! Movement, fans wanted Daniel Bryan to main event and win the WWE Championship. After losing a Royal Rumble entry match to Bray Wyatt earlier that night, fans still held out hope Bryan would find his way into the Rumble. Once No. 30 hit and he was nowhere to be found, it became official that it wouldn’t happen. The name atop this list could have been anyone.
