The Royal Rumble is WWE’s signature match where 30 wrestlers aim to eliminate their opponents by throwing them over the top rope. It was first held in 1987 and was created by Pat Patterson. It stands out from standard battle royals by having wrestlers enter at set intervals. It’s traditionally the centerpiece of WWE's January event, with the winner securing a WrestleMania title shot.
The match has seen extraordinary moments and records, such as Mick Foley entering three times in 1998 under different personas and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin holding the record for three wins. The women’s Royal Rumble was launched in 2018, following the same rules.
Wrestlers with the most time in Royal Rumble Year on Year
According to Smark Out Moment, the wrestlers who spent the most time in the Royal Rumble match each year include notable performances such as Ric Flair in 1992 (59:26), Bob Backlund in 1993 (1:01:10), Chris Benoit in 2004 (1:01:30), and Rey Mysterio in 2006 (1:02:12).
The longest single performance in any Rumble match was Daniel Bryan at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, lasting 1:16:05. In recent years, Gunther set a new men's record in 2023 with 1:11:40, while Bayley set the women's record in 2024 with 1:03:03.
| Year | Wrestler | Time | Entrant |
| 1988 | Bret Hart | 00:25:42 | #1 |
| 1989 | Mr. Perfect | 00:27:58 | #4 |
| 1990 | Ted DiBiase | 00:44:47 | #1 |
| 1991 | Rick Martel | 00:52:17 | #6 |
| 1992 | Ric Flair | 00:59:26 | #3 |
| 1993 | Bob Backlund | 1:01:10 | #2 |
| 1994 | Bam Bam Bigelow | 00:30:12 | #15 |
| 1995 | Shawn Michaels | 00:38:41 | #1 |
| 1996 | Hunter Hearst Helmsley | 00:48:01 | #1 |
| 1997 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 00:45:07 | #5 |
| 1998 | The Rock | 00:51:32 | #4 |
| 1999 | Vince McMahon | 00:56:38 | #2 |
| 2000 | Test | 00:26:17 | #10 |
| 2001 | Kane | 00:53:46 | #6 |
| 2002 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 00:26:46 | #19 |
| 2003 | Chris Jericho | 00:38:54 | #2 |
| 2004 | Chris Benoit | 1:01:30 | #1 |
| 2005 | Chris Benoit | 00:47:26 | #2 |
| 2006 | Rey Mysterio | 1:02:12 | #2 |
| 2007 | Edge | 00:44:02 | #5 |
| 2008 | Batista | 00:37:42 | #8 |
| 2009 | Triple H | 00:49:55 | #7 |
| 2010 | John Cena | 00:22:11 | #19 |
| 2011 | CM Punk | 00:35:21 | #1 |
| 2012 | The Miz | 00:45:39 | #1 |
| 2013 | Dolph Ziggler | 00:49:47 | #1 |
| 2014 | CM Punk | 00:49:15 | #1 |
| 2015 | Bray Wyatt | 00:46:58 | #5 |
| 2016 | Roman Reigns | 00:59:50 | #1 |
| 2017 | Chris Jericho | 1:00:13 | #2 |
| 2018 | Finn Balor | 00:57:38 | #2 |
| 2018 | Sasha Banks (Women) | 00:54:46 | #1 |
| GRR | Daniel Bryan | 1:16:05 | #1 |
| 2019 | Seth Rollins | 00:43:00 | #10 |
| 2019 | Natalya (Women) | 00:56:01 | #2 |
| 2020 | Bianca Belair (Women) | 00:33:20 | #2 |
| 2020 | Drew McIntyre | 00:34:11 | #16 |
| 2021 | Bianca Belair (Women) | 00:56:49 | #3 |
| 2021 | Edge | 00:58:28 | #1 |
| 2022 | Bianca Belair (Women) | 00:47:30 | #8 |
| 2022 | AJ Styles | 00:29:06 | #1 |
| 2023 | Gunther | 1:11:40 | #1 |
| 2023 | Rhea Ripley (Women) | 1:01:08 | #1 |
| 2024 | Bayley (Women) | 1:03:03 | #2 |
| 2024 | Jey Uso | 00:50:55 | #1 |
FAQs on Wrestlers with most time in Royal Rumble Year on Year
A. Traditionally, 30 wrestlers participate in the Royal Rumble match.
A. Since 1993, winners have earned a world championship match at WrestleMania.
A. The first women's Royal Rumble match was held in 2018 and served as the main event of the show.
A. The Royal Rumble match was created by WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson.
A. The Royal Rumble began airing on pay-per-view (PPV) in 1989.
