10 Best WWE Royal Rumble Matches Ever

#5 Royal Rumble 2002

A nearly

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Perfect, Royal Rumble

If we are being honest, the winner of the 2002 Royal Rumble match was pretty obvious going in. Despite this, there was enough star power to make you think there was a glimpse of hope for someone else to win, even though the winner was a popular decision regardless.

One of the longer Royal Rumble matches in history at almost 70 minutes, Rikishi started things off with the previously announced returning Goldust, who we hadn't seen in WWE in almost 3 years. After some back and forth action between the following six entrants, things really picked up with entrant number #8, The Undertaker. Big Evil quickly eliminated four superstars, before giving a beating to the Hardy Boyz, and eliminating them also the make it six.

The biggest shocker of the match and best moment came when the rookie winner of WWE Tough Enough Maven, shockingly eliminated The Undertaker with a dropkick, while the Phenom was bragging about his beating of the Hardyz as they walked up the ramp. The Undertaker would spend the next 5 minutes beating the hell out of Maven, including one of the most sickening unprotected steel chair shots ever. Diamond Dallas Page, Christian, Scotty 2 Hotty and others fought it out for a while. Our next previously announced 'surprise' entry was The Godfather, who hadn't been seen on WWE TV since the summer of 2001 and hadn't played his pimp character in nearly 2 years.

Stone Cold Steve Austin was entrant #19, he beat up every living thing in the ring and eliminated them all in succession. He was then met with another previously announced 'surprise' entrant Val Venis, another superstar who hadn't been seen since the summer and hadn't played his particular character in nearly 2 years. Val, along with Test were quickly disposed of by Austin.

Eventual Rumble winner Triple H came out at #22. It was his first match since May. He had some good exchanges with Austin and some comical moments, including a funny elimination by both men of The Hurricane. Entrant #25 was the final previously announced 'surprise' entrant, Mr Perfect, who nearly blew the roof off the building. WWE were so pleased with Perfect's response and condition, that he was offered a contract shortly after. Kurt Angle made his Rumble debut and gave a good performance.

Big Show, Kane, Rob Van Dam and entrant #30 Booker T all only lasted less than 3 minutes each. Triple H won the match by last eliminating Kurt Angle.