WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 5 Stats That Could Hint the Potential Winner

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2. Only 4 Royal Rumble Winners Since 2000 Have Been Heel

The Royal Rumble match creates stars and highlights the best of the best as we head into WrestleMania. It also creates memorable moments, mostly with babyfaces ruling the hour-long spectacle and earning a World title match at the Show of Shows. A heel winning often leaves a dud to close things out, unless it’s someone that the fans are behind that’s in the midst of a face turn.

Since 2000, there have been 17 Royal Rumble matches. Out of all of these, just four of them have seen heels win it all with Batista (2005), Randy Orton (2009), Alberto Del Rio (2011), and Triple H (2016). Only the Animal would win his World title shot at WrestleMania, which was due to his face turn and split from Evolution. He defeated Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship.

If the recent betting odds for the Royal Rumble match are any indication, we could have the fifth heel to win since 2000. That could always change since this is usually in flux as the pay-per-view gets closer, but it could give an idea of what’s to come on January 29.

A babyface win will create a memorable moment at the Royal Rumble. Could we get the second consecutive heel victory, though?