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The Royal Rumble is one of the most entertaining bouts in professional wrestling. A victory at the eponymous contest is a prestigious feather in one's cap.
Superstars like Kane, Kofi Kingston, Goldust, and Dolph Ziggler have entered the Rumble more than anyone else. However, they've never won the event. On the other hand, several superstars have earned the ticket to WrestleMania in their first attempt.
To date, 11 superstars have achieved this feat. Our article will focus on who these 11 superstars are. Do you have any superstars in mind who can replicate this feat? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below.
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#11. Asuka won the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble
Asuka emerged victorious in the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble in 2018. She entered at #25 and eliminated three superstars in her pursuit of victory. The Bella Twins were the final two obstacles between her and WrestleMania.
The Empress of Tomorrow won by eliminating Nikki Bella. Though her victory was overshadowed by the debut of Ronda Rousey, it'll always be a moment to cherish.
#10. Shinsuke Nakamura won the Rumble in 2018
The same year Asuka triumphed in the women's edition of the Rumble, a fellow Japanese Superstar stood tall in the men's edition.
Shinsuke Nakamura entered the star-studded battle royal at #14 and outlasted stars like John Cena, Finn Balor, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio, Adam Cole, and Roman Reigns to win the contest.
He'd go on to challenge AJ Styles to replicate their classic match. However, their encounter at WrestleMania failed to reach anywhere near fans' expectations.
#9. Alberto Del Rio swept a victory in 2011
Getting an ideal debut year is a dream for all aspiring professional wrestlers. However, the debut year of Alberto Del Rio is a once-in-a-generation dominance.
He debuted in WWE roughly around the time of The Nexus. By the 2011 Royal Rumble, The Nexus was disbanded and replaced by The New Nexus, and Alberto Del Rio started reaching new heights in the promotion.
In the biggest Royal Rumble until 2018, he managed to outlast other legends to get his opportunity for WrestleMania. However, the event will be remembered not because Del Rio won it, but because Santino Marella was on the verge of winning it.
#8. Chris Benoit won the event in 2004
The Royal Rumble 2004 started with Chris Benoit and Randy Orton squaring off. An hour later, it was Benoit who was still standing in the middle of the ring while everyone else got their hopes crushed.
The Rabid Wolverine eliminated The Big Show to win the Rumble in his first-ever appearance at the event. He also became the first superstar to choose which world champion he wanted to collide with at The Shows of Immortal.
#7. The Beast stood tall in 2003
Speaking of dominating debut years, there's hardly anyone who has had a rookie year as good as Brock Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar faced The Big Show at the Royal Rumble to guarantee his spot at the night's main event. He entered the match at #29 and won by last eliminating The Undertaker.
The Beast Incarnate also broke the record for least time spent by a Rumble winner, having won the match in 8 minutes and 59 seconds. However, this record was smashed by John Cena in 2008 and now rests with Edge.
#6. The Chairman has also won a Royal Rumble
The 1999 Royal Rumble had a weird result, to say the least. Having realized the potential and popularity of the Attitude Era and Mr. McMahon's involvement, WWE went completely crazy to give fans what they wanted, and also what they didn't.
First, McMahon forced Steve Austin to enter the event at #1. Then, the Chairman decided to enter at #30 himself. However, commissioner Shawn Michaels overruled his decision and forced him to enter at #2.
In his first and only appearance at the eponymous battle royal, Mr. McMahon did the unthinkable by winning the event by last eliminating The Texas Rattlesnake with the help of a distraction from The Great One.
#5. Lex Luger shared his victory which he achieved at his debut Rumble
Before AEW, ROH, or IMPACT Wrestling, WCW was a legit threat to WWE (then WWF). Hulk Hogan, the top star of Vince McMahon's promotion, left the company to join its rival in 1993.
The producers of WWF saw Lex Luger as the next big thing. They attempted to push him to the main event and make him the biggest star in wrestling. His achievements include a Royal Rumble victory, which he shares with Bret Hart. This is the only instance of co-winners in the Rumble.
#4. Yokozuna won the 1993 Rumble
Looking at Yokozuna's size, it goes without saying he got a gigantic push from the beginning of his career. Royal Rumble 1993 was the first of the two times he entered the 30-man match.
The Samoan Giant had a spectacular match with one of the silliest finishes of the Rumble match. Randy Savage attempted to pin The Mighty in the battle royal, which was of no worth.
After regaining consciousness, Yokozuna pushed The Macho Man into oblivion and won his debut Rumble. He also became the first Rumble winner to challenge for the world title at WrestleMania, which is now an annual tradition.
#3. Ric Flair contested his first Royal Rumble in 1992 and won it
The 1992 Royal Rumble is the first of two instances when the WWE World Championship was to be awarded to the winner. It was the first time bonafide wrestling icon Ric Flair was entering the Rumble.
Flair entered at #3 in what is arguably the best Rumble in history. He ultimately won the contest by last eliminating Sid Justice. In his pursuit of victory, Flair spent 60 minutes and 2 seconds in the Rumble, a record back then.
#2. Big John Studd triumphed in the Rumble in 1989
At a star-studded event at the Royal Rumble in 1989, it was Big John Studd who ultimately won the match to fans' surprise.
The event featured the likes of Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, Bushwhacker Luke, Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage, and Ted Dibiase. Big John Studd made his appearance at #27 and eliminated The Million Dollar Man to add a Royal Rumble victory in his career.
He, however, didn't even contest that year's WrestleMania. Nonetheless, the 1989 Rumble will be remembered for the moment when Andre The Giant eliminated himself after Jake Roberts freed Damien, his pet snake.
#1. Jim Duggan won the first-ever Royal Rumble in 1988
The first-ever Royal Rumble marked the debut of all its entrants. A bit different from subsequent editions, the event featured 20 superstars in the namesake battle royal.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan emerged as the victor of the first-ever event and embedded his name in the history of professional wrestling. He's also one of the superstars to enter the Royal Rumble in four different decades.
