Interesting Royal Rumble facts that every wrestling fan should know

Interesting Royal Rumble facts that every wrestling fan should know

Kevin Omuya
March 9, 2024 at 4:26 AM

The Royal Rumble, a fixture of professional wrestling for the last 35 years, combines athleticism, drama, and surprise that never fails to impress viewers. For followers of professional wrestling, researching the past of this historic event reveals a plethora of interesting Royal Rumble facts.

Royal Rumble Facts about Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns celebrates winning the WWE and Universal Championship match during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

The Royal Rumble is the most anticipated event in sports entertainment. Discovering new details about the Royal Rumble excites fans who cannot wait for each year's version. These events glimpse the fabric of the Royal Rumble's history, from landmark events to performances that set new standards.

Facts about the Royal Rumble

We rely on credible wrestling platforms and publicly available sources for our Royal Rumble information. Here are the crazy facts about the Royal Rumble.

10. Tazz's debut in the WWE

At the Rumble, Kurt Angle was hoping to extend his winning streak of two months, during which he had not lost a single about. None other than Tazz stood in the way of the Olympic gold medalist.

When Tazz competed in front of his New York City native crowd, they gave him a standing ovation. In Tazz's WWE career, this was probably the high point. Tazz was unstoppable and ended Angle's perfect record, demonstrating his dominance over the match.

9. The Hardys won the first-ever tag team tables match

As the inaugural tag team tables match, The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz created history. You must put every player on your team through their paces to win. The anticipated high-scoring match between the Hardys and the Dudleys was a smashing success.

While Jeff splashed, Matt dropped his leg, and the Hardys pushed Bubba Ray outside the table. There were several disgusting chair shots to the head delivered during the bout, but Jeff finally won it in the latter minutes by connecting with a Swanton Bomb on D-Von from the balcony.

8. Mae Young was crowned Miss Rumble Swimsuit in 2000

WWE Royal Rumble Facts about Miss Rumble 2000
Wrestlers compete during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan
Source: Getty Images

The Miss Rumble 2000 Swimsuit competition was placed outside the ring—a panel of five judges—Andy Richter, Sgt. Slaughter, Tony Garea, Johnny Valiant, and Freddie Blassie—met to decide the winners.

The current WWE Women's Champion, The Kat, Luna Vachon, Terri, Jacqueline, Barbara Bush, and Ivory were among the competitors. Mae Young showed in and participated as the judges decided on a winner. Despite her companion Mark Henry's best efforts to hide her as she undressed, she emerged victorious.

7. Defending Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho claims victory

Chris Jericho and Chyna were already co-champions of the Intercontinental Championship. Still, Hardcore Holly was a third contender in a battle that would decide who would be named the undisputed champion. Although their triple-threat match lacked excitement, it was entertaining to watch anyway.

The Walls of Jericho, which Jericho had built on Holly, were breached by the Ninth Wonder of the World. Holly was pedigreed by Chyna, and Chyna was crossbodyed by Jericho. After Jericho connected with a Lionsault on Chyna, he eventually became the only owner of the Intercontinental Championship.

6. Madison Square Garden hosted its inaugural Royal Rumble

When wrestlers and spectators step foot in Madison Square Garden, it is like entering a different world. Among WWE's classic "Big Four" events, the 2000 Royal Rumble was the last to occur at MSG. Since MSG is considered the centre of professional wrestling, it was inevitable that the Royal Rumble would be hosted there due to WWE's long history.

In the Royal Rumble match of 2000, a slew of famous faces were featured, including Edge, Chris Jericho, and Chyna. Both the inaugural WrestleMania and WrestleMania 10 took place at MSG. The 1996 Survivor Series and three SummerSlam took place at Madison Square Garden. Since MSG has hosted the Royal Rumble twice in 2008 and now, this will not be the last Royal Rumble to take place there.

5. A brutal street brawl ends with Triple H retaining the WWE title

Royal Rumble history facts about Triple H
John Cena (in the air) competes with Triple H during the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Greatest Royal Rumble event in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah on April 27, 2018. Photo: Stringer
Source: Getty Images

Triple H defended his WWE Championship against Cactus Jack during a Street Fight. They stole the Show in a brutal Street Fight, and the Game proved to everyone why he was the top heel in the organization. It was undeniably the match of the night. Their match is legendary from the get-go and is often spoken about.

Despite having a piece of wood carved into his leg, Triple H triumphed over numerous obstacles. Thumbtacks were thrown in the ring after The Rock attacked Triple H, interfering with the proceedings. In the second of Triple H's two Pedigrees, the Cerebral Assassin retained the WWE Championship by defeating Cactus Jack, who would not budge, and the first pedigree was a complete failure.

4. Too Cool danced

Among the most beloved trios of the Attitude Era was the one consisting of Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty, and Grandmaster Sexay. Rikishi remained reliable throughout the Royal Rumble contest, but here was the opportunity to break out of his melancholy persona for a historic moment.

Amid his destructive rampage, Rikishi briefly paused to dance in the ring with Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty. Rikishi ejected the two men after they danced, ending the lovely moment. Rikishi persisted in dancing solo until the newcomer approached the ring.

3. No one lasted more than 30 minutes in this Royal Rumble bout, which is a first in 11 years

WWE Royal Rumble Facts about Big Show
Big Show competes in the ring against the New Day at the Road to WrestleMania at the Lanxess Arena on February 11, 2016, in Cologne, Germany. Photo: Marc Pfitzenreuter
Source: Getty Images

At least one wrestler has a remarkable run that lasts a long time in Royal Rumble matches, while the matches are notoriously long. Nevertheless, no participant surpassed the 30-minute mark, which has not been seen since the 1989 Royal Rumble.

As the tenth participant, Test—the reigning WWE Hardcore Champion and match hero—served as the match's Iron Man. Big Show, one of the tallest wrestlers in WWE's history who would go on to finish as the Show's runner-up, interrupted him 26 minutes into his attempt to headline WrestleMania 16.

2. The X-Pac got knocked out twice

The honour of being the 30th participant in the 2000 Royal Rumble match was bestowed upon X-Pac of D-Generation X. The benefits of being in Triple H's inner circle were not enough to make up for X-Pac's lackluster performance as the Royal Rumble match's last participant.

He dispatched his opponent Kane, while The Rock took out X-Pac, but the referee was too preoccupied with an outside brawl to notice. Big Show eliminated X-Pac from the Rumble for the second time, ending his luck.

1. In the Royal Rumble, The Rock came out on top

WWE Royal Rumble Facts about The Rock
Dwayne ''The Rock'' Johnson and John Cena in action during WrestleMania XXVIII at Sun Life Stadium on April 1, 2012, in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo: Ron Elkman
Source: Getty Images

The Rock's business took off as the 24th participant to join the Royal Rumble match. The former WWE champion was trying to get into WrestleMania 16's main event so he could contend for the title.

Not many famous people were involved in this Rumble, and Rock was the one who ultimately lost. He defeated Boss Man, Crash Holly, Al Snow, and Big Show in under fifteen minutes, becoming one of the youngest Royal Rumble match victors at twenty-seven.

Is Royal Rumble fake?

There is a predetermined script and set choreography for the Royal Rumble, as there is for every professional wrestling event. Despite authors and creative teams manipulating match results and plotlines, wrestlers' athleticism and physical prowess remain authentic.

How does the Royal Rumble work?

No submissions, DQs, or pinfalls are required. They are out if an opponent's feet do not contact the floor when you throw them over the top rope. Being the last person still in the ring at the night's end is your sole chance of winning.

Final word

For those who love wrestling and are interested in sports entertainment, these Royal Rumble facts will help them navigate the years of thrilling matches with a theatrical flair. The Royal Rumble has left an everlasting impression on wrestling history and never fails to enthrall spectators.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.