WWE: Ranking The Top Ten Royal Rumble Winners
8. Rey Mysterio (2006)
In 2006, the wrestling world was still mourning the loss of Eddie Guerrero. It has now been over fifteen years since Guerrero passed away and people are still giving tributes to him to this very day. However, back in 2006, Rey Mysterio looked to give the biggest tribute to his late best friend by winning the Royal Rumble.
When it came time to draw numbers for the rumble match, Rey pulled out number two and claimed that Eddie pulled one over on him. Everyone doubted that smaller man Rey would be able to go all the way, especially after Triple H was revealed to have drawn number one.
Triple H and Mysterio both went on to spend over an hour in the match. They both picked up six eliminations a piece, but one of Mysterio’s elimination was Triple H himself. Besides the long showing by the two starters, Carlito impressed by spending over forty minutes in the match. The team of Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro, known as MNM, spent nearly half an hour as well.
In the end, the match came down to the second entrant Mysterio and the 30th entrant, Randy Orton. It looked like Orton had the advantage due to being the freshest man in the match. Rey had spent an hour fighting for his life and Randy saw his victory in reach. However, the overconfidence would get the best of him as Rey shocked everyone and eliminated Orton for his emotional victory.
7. Stone Cold Steve Austin (2001)
This Rumble match was filled with men who are or will be future WWE Hall of Famers. Guys like The Rock, The Undertaker, Kane, Big Show, and eventual winner Stone Cold Steve Austin, who won his third and final rumble, just to name some of the huge names in this match. That doesn’t even include WWE Hall of Famer and the host of The Price Is Right, Drew Carey.
Carey was the only man standing in the ring at one point when Matt and Jeff Hardy eliminated each other. Jerry Lawler pointed out on commentary that if this was the end of the match, Carey would be headed to WrestleMania. There is something to imagine, Drew Carey main eventing WrestleMania. However, that dream was quickly ended.
“The Big Red Machine” Kane made his way out to the ring at number six. It was at that moment, Carey knew he messed up. He tried to bribe Kane, but Kane looked to chokeslam him anyway. To Drew’s saving grace, Raven came running out, and Drew quickly escaped and eliminated himself from the match. Kane went on to set a rumble record of 11 eliminations, a record that would stand for over a decade.
The final four came down to Kane, Austin, The Rock, and Billy Gunn. Kane and Austin got rid of the other two before fighting for their WrestleMania spot. Kane had an impressive showing and dominated for nearly an hour. Unfortunately for him, Stone Cold had the luck of the draw. Austin came in at lucky number 27 and would eliminate Kane to lead to WrestleMania 17.