Some of the biggest names in the wrestling game will be competing in the 2017 Royal Rumble. Bodies will be flying as Goldberg, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker will be on a hunt for destruction as they look to eliminate every other WWE superstar for a chance at main eventing Wrestlemania 33.
While there is an impressive group of current superstars throwing their hats into the ring, let’s take a look back to at some of history’s greatest Rumble competitors.
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These next ten men have compiled the most eliminations in the history of the Royal Rumble.
10. Randy Orton -19
In seven Royal Rumbles, nineteen superstars have felt their Rumble Mania hopesย end “outtanowhere” courtesy of the Viper. Randy Orton’s most impressive Rumble in 2004 included five eliminations. Orton would win his only Rumble to date in 2009. Last night it was confirmed that the Wyatts will be entering the 2017 Rumble; how many spots can Orton climb on this list by the time it’s over?ย ย
9. John Cena – 22
In seven Royal Rumbles, twenty two other WWE superstars couldn’t see John Cena coming. Considering his run as the top guy for over a decade, twenty two actually seems low. Either way, Cena is on the short list of multi-time Rumble winners, winning the event in 2008 and 2013.ย
8. Roman Reigns – 23
The only current superstar that could possible compete for the number one slot on this list when it’s all said and done is Roman Reigns. In only three Royal Rumbles, The Guy has 23 eliminations, including a record 12 in one Rumble. Reigns will be busy this January in a singles match it looks like we’ll have to wait another year to see how many more bodies he can make hit the floor.
7. Hulk Hogan – 27
Hulk Hogan has won 50% of the Royal Rumbles he has entered. In those four Rumbles, the Hulkster has eliminated a staggering 27 other competitors. The Immortal one is on a short list of mulitple Rumble winners, having won it both in 90 and 91.ย
6. Big Show – 31
The Largest Athlete in the world is naturally one of the most decorated competitors in Rumble history. The Big Show has thirty oneย eliminations in elevenย Rumbles. Unfortunately for Show, as soon as he steps over the ropes he becomes a target for every other superstar in the ring. Will we see the legendary big man add more notches to his Rumble belt this year?
5. Triple H – 33
Nine Royal Rumbles and thirty threeย eliminations for The Game! Even when he only wrestles a few times a year, theย Cerebral Assasin is stillย a threat when he enters the Rumble. Just ask Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, who he eliminated last year to win the WWE Championship.ย
4. The Undertaker – 35
In ten Rumbles, the Undertaker sent thirty fiveย other superstars to an early grave. While Taker has only won the Rumble once in 97, his presence in the big event was always felt. When the gong hits this year, you can bet Taker will beย looking to add to his already legendary tally.ย
3. Stone Cold Steve Austin – 36
In only six Rumbles, the Texas Rattlesnake eliminated a stunning thirty sixย competitors. At an average of six per contest, it’s no surprise that Stone Cold is the only superstar to have won the Rumble on three seperate occassions.ย
2. Shawn Michaels – 39
In 12 Rumbles, Shawn Michaelsย broke the hearts and dreams of thirty nineย other superstars. HBK’s impressive performance led to back to back victories in 95 and 96 and a near victory with the Undertaker in 2007.ย
1. Kane – 44
The greatestย competitor in the history of the Rumble mightย also have the worst luck. In a whopping nineteenย Rumbles, Kane (and Isaac Yankem and Fake Diesel) has eliminated forty fourย other men! Unfortuantely for the Big Red Machine, despite all of his success, he has never managed to find a way to keep himself from being eliminated. Since it’s unlikely that will change in the twilight of his career, Kane will certainly go down as the greatest competitor to never win a Royal Rumble.ย
