This week in WWE history (Jan 17-23) - Batista Returns, Ric Flair wins The WWE Championship in The Royal Rumble 

#4. Ric Flair wins the WWE Championship in the Royal Rumble - January 19th, 1992

The Royal Rumble Match has become an annual tradition in WWE, but several of these contests have stood out from the rest.

Three decades ago, in 1992, the WWF Championship was on the line in the Royal Rumble bout for the first time. Ahead of the event, the title was vacated after several controversial matches between Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker.

As a result, for the first time in history, the winner of the Rumble would be handed the world championship. Ric Flair ultimately emerged victorious by last eliminating Sid Justice to clinch the victory.

Of course, this wasn't the only Royal Rumble Match to take place on January 19th. The previous year, Hulk Hogan won the 1991 Royal Rumble Match. A few years later, the 1997 Royal Rumble Match also happened on this day; Stone Cold Steve Austin won the bout by last eliminating Bret Hart.

Then, in 2003, Brock Lesnar outlasted 29 other superstars to clinch his own victory in the legendary battle royal.

This is also the day that Sting arrived on RAW back in 2015. The Icon appeared for the first time on WWE's flagship show after he stunned the wrestling world by making his debut at Survivor Series a few weeks earlier.