10 Pivotal Moments from the Women's Evolution in WWE

#4 The First Women's Royal Rumble

The inaugural women's royal rumble brought together new stars and old favorites to the delight of the WWE Universe.

The Royal Rumble is a WWE tradition dating back to the 1980s. It was on January 24, 1988 that the WWE presented the first Royal Rumble on the USA Network as a special attraction. It featured many of the major stars of the era, such as Andre the Giant and Demolition. Hacksaw Jim Duggan would win the inaugural rumble, and make history in the process.

For the next thirty years, the Royal Rumble would be the exclusive domain of male wrestlers, with a few special appearances by wrestlers such as Beth Phoenix and Kharma. However, the women finally had their chance for a Royal Rumble in 2018. Asuka won the first women's Rumble, and went on to challenge Charlotte at WrestleMania 34 for the Smackdown Women's championship.

By having a Rumble for both sexes, the WWE made a statement that women's wrestling was now just as important as the men's.