WWE Royal Rumble: Top 5 surprise entrants for the men’s rumble
The WWE’s second popular show of the year, the legendary Royal Rumble, is set to take place at the end of this month. Thirty competitors will enter in two-minute increments, with the last person standing receiving a title shot to headline WrestleMania.
The Royal Rumble is a unique match because it allows fans to wonder which legends will appear and who will make their WWE debuts. The Royal Rumble is one of the few events that WWE still has that makes fans surprised because it isn’t predictable. The road to WrestleMania starts at the Royal Rumble, making it the most important wrestling event at the start of each year. In this article, I will be discussing the top five Royal Rumble Surprise entrants.
5. Diamond Dallas Page 2015
When it comes to who was the most popular WCW wrestler that fans loved to cheer for, DDP is at the top of that list. DDP dedicated his post–wrestling career to helping former wrestlers with substance abuse, and other health problems get back on their feet. When you look at DDP’s legendary wrestling career, you can see why he is loved in and outside of the ring. When DDP was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, it wasn’t a surprise because of the legendary wrestling resume that he created in WCW. The surprising moment was when DDP returned to the WWE as a surprise entrant at the 2015 Royal Rumble match, in better shape than many men his age.
4. Edge 2010
When Edge returned to the WWE in 2020 at the Royal Rumble, that was one of the greatest surprises ever, but that wasn’t the first time Edge returned and was a surprise entry at the Royal Rumble. Edge suffered an injury in July 2009, which meant that he would be out for up to a year. Edge would get injured teaming up with Y2J, his partner at that time. Edge would return at the 2010 Royal Rumble to a huge fan reaction and win the match and headline Wrestlemania.
3. All 3 Faces of Foley 1998
Mick Foley is one of the most creative wrestlers we have ever seen. In 1998 Mick Foley entered the 1998 Royal Rumble at one as Cactus Jack, his old WCW and Japan persona, and the one known to bring weapons to the ring. Cactus Jack would be eliminated by his hardcore partner Chainsaw Charlie, the legendary Terry Funk. Foley would then return and enter the match as his original WWE gimmick, the deranged Mankind, and Funk. However, Mankind wouldn’t survive long in the match. Foley would then return to the match as his Dude Love persona, who would stay until the end. The WWE and Mick Foley created one of the greatest Royal Rumble moments by having Foley compete as all fans loved gimmicks.
2. AJ Styles 2016
It has become hard for wrestling companies to keep secrets without someone on the internet talking about it when it comes to professional wrestling. It was known to the wrestling world that AJ had left New Japan Pro wrestling to sign with the WWE. Still, fans weren’t sure when he would show up because, like the previous signees such as Samoa Joe and Finn Balor, people just assumed that he would go to NXT first. AJ Styles debuting in WWE and going straight to the main roster was a huge surprise. AJ Styles are debuting at the Royal Rumble, and getting the crowd reaction he got helped WWE see that AJ was a star and could be a big-time player in the WWE.
1. John Cena 2008
When it comes to who is, the most loyal wrestler in the history of the WWE, John Cena, is at the top of the list. John Cena proved his loyalty and love to professional wrestling when he returned early after having a torn pectoral. The WWE managed to keep his entry at No. 30 a secret, which led to a massive crowd reaction at Madison Square Garden. Cena took his time to embrace the moment and came into the ring and tore into the match, tossing out everyone in his path. The match would come down to Triple H and Cena, and the two would have a great eight-minute match before Cena would use his finisher to eliminate the Game.