The WWE Men's Royal Rumble is a men's pro wrestling special match type held periodically by World Wrestling Entertainment.
The competition was established on January 24, 1988, and the first edition was won by Jim Duggan , while the last edition took place on January 27, 2024 and was won by Cody Rhodes .
The Royal Rumble is one of the most iconic match types of WWE, often considered the match of the company.
It is a unique variation of the Battle Royal, invented by WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson. Traditionally, it features 30 wrestlers (though there have been exceptions, such as 20 participants in the inaugural 1988 edition and 40 in 2011).
Match Structure
Unlike a regular Battle Royal, the WWE Royal Rumble begins with just two participants in the ring. The rest of the competitors enter at regular intervals (which have varied throughout the years, but in recent times have been standardized to every 90 seconds). The order of entry is determined by a random draw held before the match.
Elimination Rules
Eliminations in the Royal Rumble occur under Over the Top Rope rules: a wrestler must be thrown over the top rope, and both feet must touch the floor for the elimination to count (this rule was introduced in the 1995 edition). The last participant remaining in the ring is declared the winner.
Annual Event and Prize
The WWE Royal Rumble takes place annually at the pay-per-view of the same name. Since 1991, the winner of the match earns a title shot for WWE's top championship at WrestleMania, the company's biggest event of the year (with the exception of the 1991 edition, where the vacant WWF Title was on the line).
Brand Split Participation
After WWE introduced its brand split, competitors from both SmackDown and RAW participate in the match (and during the time ECW was an active third brand, its members also competed). Special guests like legends, and commentators occasionally enter the match as well. Originally, the winner had to face the champion of their own brand at WrestleMania, but since 2004, the winner can choose whether to challenge the WWE Champion or the World Heavyweight Champion, regardless of their roster.
Women's Royal Rumble
The Women's Royal Rumble match was introduced in 2018, marking a significant milestone in WWE's women's division. This match follows the same rules as the men's Royal Rumble, with 30 participants entering at timed intervals and eliminations occurring via the Over the top rope rule, with both feet needing to touch the floor.
Records and Achievements
The wrestler with the most Royal Rumble victories to date is Stone Cold Steve Austin, who won three editions (1997, 1998, and 2001).
On this page, you can find the full list of all the WWE Men's Royal Rumble winners in history, along with dates, events, locations and statistics, plus the result of every championship opportunity at WrestleMania (click on each arrow to expand the details).
WWE Men's Royal Rumble: Info
- Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
- Gender Male
- Tournament Type Special Match
- Date Established January 24, 1988
WWE Men's Royal Rumble: List of Winners
-
N. Image Winner 38 Cody Rhodes 2
- January 27, 2024
- St. Petersburg, FL
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2024
- 250+ days
Successfully used the shot at WrestleMania XL against the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.37 Cody Rhodes 1
- January 28, 2023
- San Antonio, TX
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2023
- 614+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania 39 against the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.36 Brock Lesnar 2
- January 29, 2022
- St. Louis, MO
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2022
- 978+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania 38 against the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns (Lesnar also lost his WWE Championship).35 Edge 2
- January 31, 2021
- St. Petersburg, FL
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2021
- 1341+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania 37 against the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.34 Drew McIntyre 1
- January 26, 2020
- Houston, TX
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2020
- 1712+ days
33 Seth Rollins 1
- January 27, 2019
- Phoenix, AZ
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2019
- 2076+ days
32 Braun Strowman 1 [Greatest Royal Rumble]
- April 27, 2018
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- | WWE Greatest Royal Rumble
- 2351+ days
This was a special edition 50-Man Royal Rumble match, with the winner receiving the Greatest Royal Rumble Trophy and a commemorative title belt.31 Shinsuke Nakamura 1
- January 28, 2018
- Philadelphia, PA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2018
- 2440+ days
30 Randy Orton 2
- January 29, 2017
- San Antonio, TX
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2017
- 2804+ days
29 Triple H 2
- January 24, 2016
- Orlando, FL
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2016
- 3175+ days
This edition was directly for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, with the champion Roman Reigns as #1 entrant, and HHH successfully won the title.28 Roman Reigns 1
- January 25, 2015
- Philadelphia, PA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2015
- 3539+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania 31 against the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins (who cashed-in the Money in the Bank contract joining the match).27 Batista 2
- January 26, 2014
- Pittsburgh, PA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2014
- 3903+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania XXX against the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan.26 John Cena 2
- January 27, 2013
- Phoenix, AZ
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2013
- 4267+ days
25 Sheamus 1
- January 29, 2012
- St. Louis, MO
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2012
- 4631+ days
24 Alberto Del Rio 1
- January 30, 2011
- Boston, MA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2011
- 4995+ days
This was a 40-Man Royal Rumble match.
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania XXVII against the World Heavyweight Champion Edge.23 Edge 1
- January 31, 2010
- Atlanta, GA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2010
- 5359+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania XXVI against the World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho.22 Randy Orton 1
- January 25, 2009
- Detroit, MI
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2009
- 5730+ days
21 John Cena 1
- January 27, 2008
- New York City, NY
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2008
- 6094+ days
Instead of waiting until WrestleMania XXIV, Cena unsuccessfully used the shot at No Way Out 2009 against the WWE Champion Randy Orton.20 The Undertaker 1
- January 28, 2007
- San Antonio, TX
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2007
- 6458+ days
19 Rey Mysterio 1
- January 29, 2006
- Miami, FL
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2006
- 6822+ days
Successfully used the shot at WrestleMania 22 against the World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and Randy Orton.18 Batista 1
- January 30, 2005
- Fresno, CA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2005
- 7186+ days
17 Chris Benoit 1
- January 25, 2004
- Philadelphia, PA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2004
- 7557+ days
Successfully used the shot at WrestleMania XX against the World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Shawn Michaels.16 Brock Lesnar 1
- January 19, 2003
- Boston, MA
- | WWE Royal Rumble 2003
- 7928+ days
15 Triple H 1
- January 20, 2002
- Atlanta, GA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 2002
- 8292+ days
14 Stone Cold Steve Austin 3
- January 21, 2001
- New Orleans, LA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 2001
- 8656+ days
13 The Rock 1
- January 23, 2000
- New York City, NY
- | WWF Royal Rumble 2000
- 9020+ days
Unsuccessfully used the shot at WrestleMania 2000 against the WWF Champion Triple H, Big Show and Mick Foley.12 Mr. McMahon 1
- January 24, 1999
- Anaheim, CA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1999
- 9384+ days
The next night on Raw McMahon renounced the shot, that was awarded by Commissioner Shawn Michaels to Stone Cold Steve Austin, who successfully used it at WrestleMania XV against the WWF Champion The Rock.11 Stone Cold Steve Austin 2
- January 18, 1998
- San Jose, CA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1998
- 9755+ days
10 Stone Cold Steve Austin 1
- January 19, 1997
- San Antonio, TX
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1997
- 10119+ days
Due to Austin re-entering the Rumble match when the referees did not see when he was thrown out of the ring, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon ruled that he will not receive the shot.9 Shawn Michaels 2
- January 21, 1996
- Fresno, CA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1996
- 10483+ days
8 Shawn Michaels 1
- January 22, 1995
- Tampa, FL
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1995
- 10847+ days
7 Lex Luger 1 & Bret "The Hitman" Hart 1 [co-winners]
- January 22, 1994
- Providence, RI
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1994
- 11212+ days
Hart and Luger co-won the match by last eliminating each other.
Luger unsuccessfully used his shot at WrestleMania X against the WWF Champion Yokozuna. , then the same night Hart successfully used his shot to win the WWF Championship.6 Yokozuna 1
- January 24, 1993
- Sacramento, CA
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1993
- 11575+ days
For the first time the winner is awarded a title match for WWF's top championship at WrestleMania.
Yokozuna successfully used the shot at WrestleMania IX against the WWF Champion Bret Hart, but lost it shortly afterwards to Hulk Hogan in a impromptu match..5 Ric Flair 1
- January 19, 1992
- Albany, NY
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1992
- 11946+ days
4 Hulk Hogan 2
- January 19, 1991
- Miami, FL
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1991
- 12311+ days
3 Hulk Hogan 1
- January 21, 1990
- Orlando, FL
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1990
- 12674+ days
2 Big John Studd 1
- January 15, 1989
- Houston, TX
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1989
- 13045+ days
1 "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan 1
- January 24, 1988
- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- | WWF Royal Rumble 1988
- 13402+ days
WWE Men's Royal Rumble: Names & Logos History
-
- WWE Men's Royal Rumble January 28, 2018
- WWE Greatest Royal Rumble April 27, 2018 April 27, 2018
- WWE Royal Rumble January 29, 2017 January 27, 2018
- WWE Royal Rumble January 24, 2016 January 28, 2017
- WWE Royal Rumble January 30, 2011 January 23, 2016
- WWE Royal Rumble January 28, 2007 January 29, 2011
- WWE Royal Rumble January 29, 2006 January 27, 2007
- WWE Royal Rumble January 30, 2005 January 28, 2006
- WWE Royal Rumble January 25, 2004 January 29, 2005
- WWE Royal Rumble January 19, 2003 January 24, 2004
- WWF Royal Rumble January 20, 2002 January 18, 2003
- WWF Royal Rumble January 21, 2001 January 19, 2002
- WWF Royal Rumble January 23, 2000 January 20, 2001
- WWF Royal Rumble January 24, 1999 January 22, 2000
- WWF Royal Rumble January 18, 1998 January 23, 1999
- WWF Royal Rumble January 21, 1996 January 17, 1998
- WWF Royal Rumble January 15, 1989 January 20, 1996
- WWF Royal Rumble January 24, 1988 January 14, 1989
WWE Men's Royal Rumble: Statistics & Records
Most Victories
Rank | Wrestler | Wins | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Stone Cold Steve Austin | 3 | 1997, 1998, 2001 | |
Hulk Hogan | 2 | 1990, 1991 | |
Shawn Michaels | 2 | 1995, 1996 | |
Triple H | 2 | 2002, 2016 | |
Batista | 2 | 2005, 2014 | |
6 | John Cena | 2 | 2008, 2013 |
7 | Brock Lesnar | 2 | 2003, 2022 |
8 | Randy Orton | 2 | 2009, 2017 |
9 | Edge | 2 | 2010, 2021 |
10 | Cody Rhodes | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
Longest Survival Time in A Single Rumble
Rank | Wrestler | Time | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Daniel Bryan | 1:16:05 | GRR (50-man) | |
Gunther | 1:11:40 | 2023 | |
Rey Mysterio [win] | 1:02:12 | 2006 | |
Chris Benoit [win] | 1:01:35 | 2004 | |
Bob Backlund | 1:01:10 | 1993 |
Most Eliminations in A Single Rumble
Rank | Wrestler | Eliminations | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Brock Lesnar | 13 | 2020 | |
Braun Strowman [win] | 13 | GRR (50-man) | |
Roman Reigns | 12 | 2014 | |
Kane | 11 | 2001 | |
Hulk Hogan | 10 | 1989 |
Most Eliminations In Total
Rank | Wrestler | Eliminations | Rumbles Entered |
---|---|---|---|
Kane | 46 | 20 (avg 2.3) | |
The Undertaker | 40 | 11 (avg 3.64) | |
Shawn Michaels | 39 | 12 (avg 3.41) | |
Steve Austin | 36 | 6 (avg 6) | |
Braun Strowman | 34 | 7 (avg 4.86) |
Most Rumble Appearances
Rank | Wrestler | Rumbles Entered | First-Last |
---|---|---|---|
Kane | 20 | 1996-2021 | |
Kofi Kingston | 16 | 2009-2024 | |
Randy Orton | 15 | 2003-2023 | |
Rey Mysterio | 15 | 2004-2022 | |
The Miz | 15 | 2007-2024 |
Other Miscellaneous Statistics
- Entry Number with Most Wins: #30 (5 wins)
- Shortest Survival Time in a Single Rumble: Santino Marella (00:00:01.9 - 2009)
- Most Wrestlers Involved in a Single Elimination: 9 (to eliminate Viscera - 2007)
- Female Entrants in Men's Royal Rumble: Chyna (1999, 2000), Beth Phoenix (2010), Kharma (2012), Nia Jax (2019)