5 times the first two entrants of Royal Rumble match created History

The annual Royal Rumble match is one of the most awaited spectacles in the entire year for the wrestling fans. 30 men compete in this match to book their berth for the main event at WrestleMania.

The toughest spots in this match are the starting two positions, as the entrants have to survive through all the other competitors to win the match.

This year, Brock Lesnar has decided to become the number one entrant in this match. Notably, he is the current WWE Champion. Yet, he has decided to compete in the match as he felt no single Superstar was worthy of getting a shot at his championship.

Let’s take a look back at five such Superstars, who started this match. Not all of them were victorious, but each of them had a major impact on the landscape of WWE.

#5 Royal Rumble 2016: Roman Reigns defended the World Championship

The toughest place to defend the Championship

Traditionally, the winner of the Royal Rumble match gets the opportunity to face the Champion at WrestleMania. However, the McMahons had a different plan for the year of 2016.

In their attempt to take away the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Roman Reigns, they forced the Big Dog to become the number one entrant in the match and defend the championship against 29 other Superstars.

Ultimately, the Big Dog was eliminated by Triple H, who returned in the Royal Rumble match as the final entrant and won the title.

Historical Impact:

Even though the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was on the line in the 1992 Royal Rumble, the match was for a vacated title and technically, no Superstar was defending it. Roman Reigns, despite losing the match in 2016, created history by defending his title in a match that was created to name a challenger for the championship.

#4 Royal Rumble 2006: Rey Mysterio recorded the longest time

Rey Mysterio wore an armband in the memory of this late best friend Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio entered at the second position in the Royal Rumble match and started the match with Triple H. Both of these men competed for over an hour with the Game clocking a tad over 60 minutes and Mysterio clocking over 62 minutes.

The “Biggest Little Man” conquered 29 other Superstars to win the chance to face the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania. Subsequently, Mysterio faced the champion Kurt Angle and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 22 and became the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Historical Impact:

Rey Mysterio created the record for spending the longest time in a Royal Rumble match. He dedicated this Royal Rumble match to his late best friend, Eddie Guerrero. His entrance that night was a tribute to the legendary Latino Heat, and watching him win in the memory of his late best friend was one of the best moments in Royal Rumble history.

#3 Royal Rumble 1999: Vince McMahon won and forfeited his title shot

The Rock distracted Stone Cold Steve Austin as Vince McMahon eliminated him from behind.

The rivalry between Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin was at its all-time peak as the two men started the proceedings at the Royal Rumble match in 1999. Interestingly, Austin was the last man to be eliminated by the chairman. Hence, both the winner and the runner-up for the match clocked the same time of 56 minutes and 38 seconds.

Historical Impact:

The next night, Mr. McMahon forfeited his title shot against The Rock at WrestleMania 15 and became the first man in WWE’s history to do so. Notably, it was The Rock who helped him to eliminate Stone Cold the previous night.

In an interesting turn of events, the Rattlesnake got an opportunity to face the chairman of WWE, Vince McMahon, in a Steel Cage match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre - In Your House PPV. He went on to defeat the reigning WWF Champion, The Rock, at Wrestlemania 15.

#2 Royal Rumble 1995: First time a Superstar won after entering at #1 position

Shawn Michaels held onto the ropes as one of his feet touched the floor.

The ending for this year’s edition of the Royal Rumble match was unique. Shawn Michael and The British Bulldog were the last two Superstars remaining in the match. In the buildup to the end, The Bulldog tossed Michaels over the top. However, only one of his feet touched the ground. The rules state that a Superstar must have both of his feet touch the floor to get eliminated from the Royal Rumble match. The Heartbreak Kid returned to the ring and eliminated The British Bulldog to win the Rumble.

Historical Impact:

1995 became special for the wrestling fans around the world. For the first time, the fans witnessed a Superstar winning the Royal Rumble match despite entering at the least favorable position.

Interestingly, Shawn Michaels won the next year’s edition of Royal Rumble as well and became the first Superstar to win the Royal Rumble match for two years in a row.

#1 Royal Rumble 2004: Chris Benoit became the first cross-brand challenger

Chris Benoit eliminated Big Show to win the match.

Even though the odds were stacked against him, Chris Benoit won the Royal Rumble after entering at the first position in the match. He became only the second man in WWE history to win this coveted match from that position and clocked the time of over 61 minutes.

Chris Benoit faced the champion, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels in a Triple Threat Match in the main event at WrestleMania 20, and became the new World Heavyweight champion.

Historical Impact:

SmackDown's General Manager, Paul Heyman, had a strong disliking for Chris Benoit. He vowed before the Royal Rumble PPV that Benoit would never become a World Champion.

Notably, the rules of the Royal Rumble match didn’t state clearly that which brand’s champion the winner should challenge. It was a norm for the winner to choose the champion of their respective brand. However, the Rabid Wolverine was able to figure out this loophole in the rules.

After winning the match, Chris Benoit appeared on Monday Night Raw the following night and announced that he would face the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania 20 instead of facing the SmackDown's WWE Champion.