WWE: The Top 15 Greatest Moments in Royal Rumble History

2. John Cena Shockingly Returns and Wins Royal Rumble Match: January 27, 2008

The Royal Rumble match is built on unexpectedness and shocking moments, which it has given many of over the years.  Arguably the most shocking moment of them all came in 2008 with the return of the company’s top star.

John Cena had been injured a few months prior with an injury that was expected to keep him out of action for several more months as 2008 began.  But Cena and the WWE had other ideas to the point where his return would shock everyone and in a high-profiled match.  What match?  None other than the 2008 Royal Rumble match.

As the first 29 superstars in the match had already entered the equation, number 30 would be the return of Cena, much to the shock of everyone in Madison Square Garden and around the world.  Cena battled in the match for less than nine minutes, but that’s all it took as the match came down to him and Triple H before Cena eliminated The Game to win the Royal Rumble.

Cena went on to be part of a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania 24 alongside Randy Orton and Triple H for the WWE Championship.  But this moment stands out above that WrestleMania match and is still one of the most memorable moments in Royal Rumble history.

You can’t put a price on shock value, and Cena’s return at the 2008 Royal Rumble defined shocking and is arguably the greatest moment in Royal Rumble history.