Which are the 10 best Royal Rumble matches in WWE history?

To professional wrestling fans, the Royal Rumble is one of the WWE Universe's must-watch annual events. Since 1988, the event that precedes WrestleMania has featured a mix of tense and entertaining moments, making it one of the most-watched sporting events ever. Dig in for a comprehensive analysis of the best Royal Rumble matches of all time.

What is the best Royal Rumble match in history? Sports Brief has used various authoritative sources to get a credible ranking of the best Royal Rumble matches from 1988 to 2024. Scroll down for a run-down of outstanding action and drama that make up the best Royal Rumble title matches of all time.

Which are the top 10 best Royal Rumble matches?

The Royal Rumble is a pay-per-view wrestling event held annually in January. The men's and women's battles feature 30 to 50 professional wrestlers competing in intervals for a chance to enter The Showcase of the Immortals. Competitors lose by elimination if their feet touch the ground outside the ring.

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For two to four hours, fans are treated to tense matches, alliances and the appearances of unexpected heroes, such as The Rock’s arrival to defend Roman Reigns in the 2015 Royal Rumble. The event also provides a platform for the appearance of previously injured wrestlers.

Here is a summary of unexpected appearances, saves and fails that make up the best Royal Rumble matches of all time.

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10. The Undertaker Returns - 2017

In 2017, the Undertaker made one of his famous heart-stopping returns to the ring to eliminate Baron Corbin and Goldberg. Randy Orton outlasted 29 of the event's entrants, gaining entry into the year's Wrestlemania 33.

Other notable matches in the tournament include the WWE Championship Match, where John Cena defeated AJ Styles and the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match, in which Neville took out Rich Swann.

• Entrants: 30
• Match duration: 3 hours, 38 minutes, and 23 seconds
• Final match contenders: Randy Orton vs Roman Reigns

9. The inaugural Royal Rumble - 1988

Held on the 24th of January 1988, the PPV event at the Copps Coliseum featured Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan, Jim Duggan, Dino Bravo, and Rick Rude. In the final match, ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan was the last man standing after eliminating the Hitman, Bret Hart.

• Entrants: 20
• Final match contenders: Jim Duggan vs One Man Gang

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8. The Nature Boy's Triumph - 1992

On the 19th of January 1992, Ric Flair, Sid Justice, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker were part of the throng, fighting for the WrestleMania title shot and the vacant WWE Championship title.

The event's winner, ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair, lasted over an hour in the ring, scooping the WWE Champion title. Fighters like Roddy Piper and The Natural Disasters also emerged victorious, holding the Intercontinental Champion and the World Tag Team Champions, respectively.

• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: Ric Flair vs Sid Justice

7. John Cena Returns - 2008

The Royal Rumble 2008 was held on the 27th of January in Madison Square Garden, New York. With some of the best male WWE wrestlers in play, such as Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Triple H and Bautista, the 2008 Royal Rumble was hotly contested. The event's winner, John Cena, had been out of action for four months after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. For wrestling enthusiasts, Cena's shocking return is one of the sport's greatest upsets of all time.

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Randy Orton retained his title during the WWE Championship match against Jeff Hardy. Edge defeated Rey Mysterio to win the World Heavyweight Championship match.

• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: John Cena vs Triple H

6. Edge Returns - 2020

In 2020, the WWE Universe treated fans to one of the best Royal Rumble PPV matches. Heavyweights such as Drew McIntyre, Brock Lesnar, Sheamus, Corbin, Humberto Carrillo, and Roman Reigns made up the 30-man battle royale.

While Roman Reigns was a favourite to win the Royal Rumble, Scottish pro-wrestler Drew McIntyre won the Man of the Match. Some of the event's highlights were Edge’s return to the ring and King Corbin's defeat to Reigns.

• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: Drew McIntyre vs Roman Reigns

5. Women's Royal Rumble - 2020

For a split moment, Charlotte Flair's win over Shayna Baszler seemed impossible. Fans were treated to Naomi's athleticism after she was thrown out of the ring. The former NBA dancer proved her resourcefulness by using the barricade and the announcers' table to get back in the ring.

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• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: Charlotte Flair vs Shayna Baszler

4. The Inaugural Women's Royal Rumble - 2018

In 2018, Asuka outdid legends in the game, such as Beth Phoenix, who took out the Great Khali with a kiss in 2010. The legendary match featured some of the best female wrestlers of all time, including Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Lita, the Bella Twins, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch. By winning the 2018 Rumble, NXT, SmackDown and Raw Champion, she stamped her ticket to WrestleMania 34.

• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: Asuka vs Nikki Bella

3. The Greatest Royal Rumble of 2018

The first-ever Greatest Royal Rumble match was held on the 27th of April 2018 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. For the first time, fifty Superstar wrestlers made history fighting in the longest Royal Rumble in history. 'The Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman won the only Greatest Royal Rumble match and set a new record of thirteen eliminations.

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• Entrants: 50
• Final match contenders: Braun Strowman vs Big Cass

2. The Undertaker's Victory - 2007

The Royal Rumble 2007 was held on the 28th of January. The pay-per-view event featured the Undertaker, the Hardys, Shawn Michael, Randy Orton, Edge, Batista and John Cena. Undertaker, being the 30th entrant, won the match for the first time in the event's history.

• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels

1. Stone Cold’s Win - 2001

At the top of the ranked list of the best Royal Rumble matches is the Royal Rumble 2001, where legendary wrestler Stone Cold won one of the best Royal Rumble matches. What happened in the 2001 Royal Rumble? In addition to serving fans, there are classic and nostalgic face-and-heel fights, such as Kurt Angle taking on Triple H, the Undertaker and Kane, the Hardy Boys, and Drew Carey.

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• Entrants: 30
• Final match contenders: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin vs Kane

Final word

Ranking the best Royal Rumble matches of all time is an uphill task. While each entrant gave the competition their all annually, the most outstanding events drew on fans' experiences and reactions.

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Sports Brief has published an article on the world's wealthiest professional wrestlers. As one of the largest wrestling promotion companies, World Wrestling Entertainment is home to some of the highest-paid wrestlers. Click on the link above for a complete list of wrestlers with the highest salaries, bonuses and sales percentages.