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WWE Royal Rumble: Santino Marella and five hilarious Royal Rumble eliminations

By Sam Skubala

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 31: Santino Marella attends the WWE Monday Night Raw Supershow Halloween event at the Philips Arena on October 31, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 31: Santino Marella attends the WWE Monday Night Raw Supershow Halloween event at the Philips Arena on October 31, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images) /
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Jerry “The King” Lawler (1997)

When it comes to the Royal Rumble, not even WWE Hall of Famers are immune to embarrassment.

WWE Hall of Famer and current Raw color commentator Jerry “The King” Lawler drew rapturous applause from the 18,121 fans in attendance at the Scottrade Center in Missouri, as he was the 12th entrant in the 2012 Royal Rumble. Entering from the commentary booth, the veteran Lawler took the fight to the young heel whippersnappers Cody Rhodes and The Miz, hitting the latter with a Diving Fist Drop. Although he was eliminated by Rhodes after just 43 seconds, it was a valiant effort, appreciated by the crowd.

The same cannot be said for his appearance at the 1997 Royal Rumble, held at the Alamodrome in San Antonio, TX.

As in 2012, Lawler was on commentary, this time joined by Vince McMahon, and Jim Ross. Unlike the aforementioned match however, Lawler entered at the advantageous 22nd spot. Snickering confidently as he removed his jacket and headset, he entered a ring with only two other Superstars present – the fifth entrant Steve Austin, and the 21st entrant, Bret Hart. Hart had Austin locked into the sharpshooter, and both men – even Hart – already looking exhausted.

So it was with a boisterous stride, that Lawler walked over to the ring apron, and enthusiastically leaped over the top rope into the match, the very image of unbridled arrogance.

But to his surprise, Hart was over to him in a flash. The beaming smile was gone, replaced with a look of desperate fear. The pair had history together, having previously feuded at various times during the mid-1990s. And now, it was clear The Hitman was gunning for The King.

Hart staggered Lawler along the ropes with a big right hand, before delivering another that was so powerful as to send him tumbling over the top rope, letting out an audible yelp as he crashed to the floor. His Rumble was all over within the span of four seconds.

And so Lawler had to trudge back to the commentary desk he had left just seconds before, to the mocking and laughter of his colleagues. A short, but cathartic, and undoubtedly humiliating moment in Royal Rumble history.

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