5 WWE Royal Rumble runner-ups who still headlined WrestleMania

#4 Triple H - 2009

Triple H

Randy Orton was the winner of the 2009 edition of the Royal Rumble. With help from Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes, Orton eliminated Triple H to win it all. The Game, who eliminated Orton's cohorts, was distracted enough to let Orton throw him over the top rope.

At the No Way Out PPV, Triple H won the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match by last pinning The Undertaker to win the WWE Championship. The rivalry took a turn for the worse as WrestleMania approached, courtesy Orton's issues with mental health that led to him having violent outbursts. Orton and The Legacy targeted the entire McMahon family as WrestleMania loomed closer, which ultimately resulted in Triple H invading Orton's home and attacking him. At WrestleMania 25, the duo faced each other in the main event of the night. The odds were heavily stacked against The Game, and a DQ or Countout would have ended the match in Orton's favor, with the WWE title being awarded to The Viper. Triple H still managed to come out victorious and retained his WWE title.