The WWE Royal Rumble has provided many great memories and moments over the last 27 years and has helped shape the careers of many Superstars.
As the WWE prepares to present the 28th annual Royal Rumble event on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, it conjures up several good and bad memories of past Rumble events.
While the Royal Rumble is a favorite among wrestling fans for the unique concept of the 30-man Royal Rumble Match, it has also provided several of surprises throughout the years.
Sports World News will count down the Top 10 most shocking moments in Royal Rumble history since the events inception in 1988.
Honorable Mentions: Ax and Smash draw No. 1 and 2 (1989), Lex Luger and Bret Hart are co-winners (1994), Vince McMahon injures himself after botched finish (2005) and Rey Mysterio wins the big one (2006).
On with the countdown:
10) Heel Hardy: During the WWE Championship match between Jeff Hardy and Edge at Royal Rumble 2009, Matt Hardy got involved. It looked as though he would help his brother, but he then hit him with a steel chair, turning heel and allowing a shocked Edge to pick up the win. The Hardys settled the score at WrestleMania XXV.
9) A Turncoat, A Champion: At the height of the Gulf War, the WWE opted to turn former fan favorite Sgt. Slaughter into a heel Iraqi sympathizer. Things were taken one step further when the traitor defeated The Ultimate Warrior to win the WWE Championship with help from the "Macho King" Randy Savage at the 1991 Royal Rumble. The crowd was rightfully upset, but things were made right when Hulk Hogan won the Rumble Match and then eventually unseated Slaughter as champion at WrestleMania VII.
8) What The World Was Watching: Many watched in awe at the 1990 Rumble when Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior were left alone in the ring and went toe-to-toe for the first time. While nothing amazing happened during that span, the crowd was in awe and on the edge of their seats leading to the epic title vs. title clash between the two at WrestleMania VI.
7) Rumble Runs On Diesel Power: The 2011 Rumble was the odd experiment of putting 40 guys in the match, but one gem that came from it was Kevin Nash returning as Diesel at entrant No. 32. He didn't eliminate anyone or last that long, but the look on Kofi Kingston's face when the music sounded was priceless.
6) Marathon Men: Shawn Michaels (1995) and Chris Benoit (2004) are the only two men to win the Rumble Match from the No. 1 draw. It was shocking when Michaels did it despite the fact that the bout was rushed and he was the only real top name in it. Still, it was the first time it ever happened and gave the cocky heel another thing to brag about. It was doubly shocking when Benoit pulled it off, lasting over an hour and thwarting off much superior competition. While Michaels fell to Diesel at WrestleMania XI, Benoit went on to win the big one at WrestleMania XX.
5) Rated 'R' Return: Edge shocked the world in 2010 when he came in as the No. 29 entrant in the Royal Rumble match after a six-month hiatus. "The Rated 'R' Superstar" ended up outlasting all of the competition to win his first and only Rumble Match. He failed to win gold against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XXVI.
4) The Rookie Bests The Deadman: One of the most shocking eliminations in history occurred at the 2002 installment when Tough Enough winner Maven threw out The Undertaker from behind. It wasn't the smartest move the young up-and-comer ever made as 'Taker pulled him out of the ring and decimated him throughout the arena for the rest of the night.
3) To Be The Man...: When Ric Flair had the No. 3 draw in the 1992 Rumble Match for the vacant WWE Championship, it seemed as though "The Nature Boy" had no chance to win. With heavy favorite Hulk Hogan getting a late draw it appeared it would be a three-peat for "The Hulkster." In surprising fashion, Sid Justice eliminated Hogan and then Flair ended up throwing Justice out with Hogan's help to win what was arguably the best Royal Rumble match of all time.
2) Cena Surprise: John Cena was on the shelf with a torn pectoral muscle when the 2008 Royal Rumble rolled around, so no one saw this one coming. When the buzzer sounded on the No. 30 entrant, a long pause took place until Cena's music hit and he surprisingly returned to action as Madison Square Garden went wild. Cena became the second man ever and second man in as many years to win the Rumble Match from the No. 30 draw.
1) No Chance In Hell: In one of the most curious -- and arguably the dumbest -- booking decisions in WWE history, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon won the 1999 Royal Rumble Match. McMahon came in as the No. 2 entrant, but spent most of the bout talking on commentary and parading around the arena. McMahon had told "Stone Cold" Steve Austin he had "no chance in hell" on winning the 30-man match. Naturally, the contest boiled down to them and with the aid of a distraction by The Rock, McMahon eliminated Austin to add his name to Rumble lore.
The WWE Royal Rumble has had no shortage of surprises through its first 27 years and there are sure to be more in store when the 28th annual Rumble emanates from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Jan. 25.
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