The Royal Rumble event has always been a fan favorite due to the 30-man Rumble Match, but there have been several tremendous WWE Championship bouts at the big event throughout the years.
Royal Rumble Match Should Not Be For World Championship
Though the main draw for the show is the elimination bout, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship has had some crowning moments at the event as well. This year, for the second time in Royal Rumble history and first since 1992, the richest prize in the game will be defended in the Rumble Match.
Here are the five best WWE World Heavyweight Championship bouts in Royal Rumble history that didn't take place inside the Rumble Match itself.
Possible Surprise Entrants For Rumble Match
5) Dolph Ziggler vs. CM Punk, 2012
Two of the best in-ring workers to ever grace a WWE ring went head-to-head when "The Showoff" and "The Best in the World" clashed. The match was a seesaw affair that saw each man inflict damage on the other one. In the end, Punk hit Ziggler twice with the GTS and with the ref bumped, enforcer John Laurinaitis was forced to count the fall as Punk retained.
4) The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, 1998
This match was phenomenal, but had a grisly result for the "Heartbreak Kid." The bout was a Casket Match, which saw Michaels bump around like a mad man for the legendary Phenom. One bump, however, was too much, as Michaels nicked his back on the edge of the casket, causing an injury that would eventually sideline him for four years. Michaels retained the belt with some help from Kane, who betrayed his brother.
3) Triple H vs. Cactus Jack, 2000
The WWE rang in the new Millennium with a tremendous event at Madison Square Garden, and "The Game" battled the hardcore legend in a Street Fight in one of the true highlights of the card. The match was barbaric, with both men drawing blood throughout the contest. Various weapons were used throughout the struggle, but Triple H finally stood tall after hitting Jack with the Pedigree onto thumbtacks to retain the title.
2) The Rock vs. Mankind, 1999
At the height of the Attitude Era, these two juggernauts of wrestling took their epic rivalry into a brutal I Quit match. Though the violent chair shots The Rock delivered to Mankind throughout the contest are disturbing, the bout will never be forgotten. The battle spilled throughout the arena and many weapons were used, including an electrical hub in the aisle way. The Corporate Champion cheated, but he retained his title.
1) Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit, 2003
Despite the decisions Benoit would make later in his life, the rivalry between the "Olympic Hero" and "Rabid Wolverine" was still one of the best in history. The match, as usual between the two, was a five-star classic with pulse-pounding action and several false finishes to keep the crowd enthralled. Both men were able to counter each other numerous times and even hit each other's moves on one another. In the end, Angle was able to put Benoit away when he cinched in the Ankle Lock, forcing the Canadian to tap in order to retain his belt.
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