Top 10 Greatest Royal Rumble Winners

It's one thing to win the Royal Rumble. It's another to own the moment so hard that fans are still popping off about it years later. That's what this list is about. The Rumble winners who didn't just toss a few bodies over the ropes, but made the whole thing feel like an all-time classic.

You know the kind. The ones where the roof practically came off when the winner's music hit. The comeback stories. The shockers. The guys who drew a garbage number and still made it to the end. Or the ones who had to outlast legends, future champions, and that one dude who was weirdly jacked for no reason.

So vote for the ones who earned that Rumble win in a way that actually felt like it meant something. Because in a match where 29 other people are gunning for your spot, winning isn't just about surviving. It's about owning the moment so completely that no one forgets who came out on top.

1. Stone Cold Steve Austin (1997, 1998, 2001)

   

   Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, later Steven James Williams), better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American actor, media personality, producer, and retired professional wrestler who is signed to a legends contract with WWE.... read more

   People, he has eliminated - give me a hell yeah if Stone Cold rocks ya! This guy made the Royal Rumble funny and interesting by using a Stunner to eliminate opponents.

   That's all - WHAT?

   Stone Cold holds the record for most eliminations of all time and has won it three times. He is too good. He dominates anything he sees.

   Austin should be number one, not Big Match John. This is an outrage!

2. John Cena (2008, 2013)

   

   John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (/ˈsiːnə/. Born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler, rapper, actor, and reality television show host signed to WWE, where he is currently associated with the SmackDown brand.

   Cena began his professional wrestling career in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling... read more

   John Cena is the best WWE Superstar. He is truly the best in the world. He was never handed anything. He earned it. He's the true champion.

   I hope he wins the Elimination Chamber!

   Hernandez1614, he won twice. In the 2013 Rumble, with his in-ring performance, he pretty much deserved that win after he kicked everybody's butt when they teamed up on him.

   2008 could be better, but it was still great.

   John Cena is the coolest and baddest guy on the planet. Thanks to his deadly finisher that sends opponents down. Epic guy!

3. Shawn Michaels (1995, 1996)

   

   Shawn Michaels, born on July 22, 1965, is an American professional wrestler. He is the first wrestler to win every major WWE title available during his era. Known for his charisma and athleticism, his nicknames include HBK (Heartbreak Kid), The Showstopper, Mr. WrestleMania, and The Icon. He was a founding... read more

   Greatest of all time! In-ring ability, mic skills, and locker room presence.

   Amazing story, HBK and the British Bulldog. It should be number one!

4. The Undertaker (2007)

   

   Mark William Calaway (born March 24, 1965), better known by his ring name The Undertaker, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler who signed with WWE in 1990, making him the company's longest-tenured in-ring performer. Calaway began his career in 1984 with World Class Championship Wrestling... read more

   Undertaker is the first man to win a Royal Rumble from the number 30 spot. He should have been number one.

   Undertaker is a deadman. Anyone who comes in his way is finished forever.

   Undertaker is the greatest Royal Rumble winner in WWE history.

5. Rey Mysterio (2006)

   

   Óscar Gutiérrez, better known by the ring name Rey Mysterio, is a Mexican-American professional wrestler who currently works for WWE on the SmackDown brand. Known for his high-flying lucha libre style, he is considered one of the most influential cruiserweights in wrestling history. Mysterio has held... read more

   He is one of the best high flyers in WWE history. He has won a Royal Rumble in his career.

   Entry disadvantage, size disadvantage, and height disadvantage.

   His talent just blows my mind sometimes. Such precision, skill, and athleticism.

6. Triple H (2002, 2016)

   

   Paul Michael Levesque, better known by his ring name Triple H, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, corporate executive, and actor. He is currently the Chief Content Officer for WWE, where he has also served as an executive vice president. Triple H is a 14-time world champion and a key... read more

   Triple H won the 2002 Royal Rumble by eliminating Kurt Angle. He went on to face the Undisputed WWF Champion Chris Jericho at WrestleMania.

   However, at No Way Out, Kurt Angle defeated Triple H with Stephanie McMahon as the special guest referee.

   On the February 18, 2002 edition of Raw, Triple H defeated Kurt Angle to regain his WWF title shot.

   Triple H won the 2002 Royal Rumble by last eliminating Kurt Angle. Triple H went to WrestleMania to meet the Undisputed WWF Champion Chris Jericho.

   However, at No Way Out, Kurt Angle defeated Triple H to steal his title shot, with Stephanie McMahon as the special guest referee.

   On the February 18, 2002 edition of Raw, Triple H defeated Kurt Angle to regain his title shot.

7. Chris Benoit (2004)

   

   Christopher Michael Benoit (May 21, 1967 - June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler whose technically proficient style earned him acclaim in Japan and North America. Over his 22-year career, he won multiple world titles in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment... read more

   So creative, throwing people over the top rope. Then he got out the Big Show, which was cool.

8. Randy Orton (2009, 2017)

   

   Randal Keith Orton (born April 1, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and actor signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. He is a 12-time world champion, having held the WWE Championship eight times and the World Heavyweight Championship four times. He is a third-generation wrestler... read more

   He is such an underrated star. The Viper is and always will be one of the greatest.

9. The Rock (2000)

   

   Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor, producer, and semi-retired professional wrestler. He gained fame in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to a successful Hollywood career, starring in films such as The Fast... read more

   Kick some ass, punch their face in, and use the People's Elbow.

   The Rock is the best wrestler in history. He is the most electrifying man in WWE.

10. Hulk Hogan (1990, 1991)

    

    Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, was an American professional wrestler, actor, television personality, entrepreneur, and musician. He rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s through his work with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). Hogan is widely regarded as one of the... read more

    A wrestling legend and the first to win the Royal Rumble back to back.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Seth Rollins (2019)

    

    Colby Daniel Lopez is an American professional wrestler and actor signed to WWE's Raw brand under the ring name Seth Rollins. He's the current holder of the Men's Money in the Bank contract. Seth Rollins is a multi-time world and tag team champion and also an Intercontinental Champion following his win... read more

12. ?

    Braun Strowman (2018 Greatest Royal Rumble)

    

    Adam Scherr is an American professional wrestler and former strongman. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Braun Strowman. In WWE, he has held the Universal Championship once, the Intercontinental Championship once, and the Raw Tag Team Championship twice.

The Contenders

13. Brock Lesnar (2003, 2022)

    

    Brock Edward Lesnar (born July 12, 1977) is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler, football player, and mixed martial artist who is currently signed to WWE. He first gained prominence as the youngest WWE Champion in history after winning the title in 2002. He later became the... read more

    WWE Superstar number one. Superstar and Brock Lesnar's manager, Paul Heyman.

    He is good, but not better than Undertaker, John Cena, and Roman Reigns.

14. Batista (2005, 2014)

    

    David Michael "Dave" Bautista Jr. (born January 18, 1969) is an American actor and former professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He rose to stardom as a six-time world champion in WWE under the ring name Batista and has starred in films such as "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) and "Blade Runner... read more

15. Edge (2010, 2021)

    

    Adam Joseph Copeland is a Canadian actor and professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Edge. A WWE Hall of Famer, Edge is known for his multiple world championship reigns and his involvement in iconic tag teams such as Edge and... read more

    Edge made a surprise return to pick up a Royal Rumble victory. He then went on to face Chris Jericho in a World Heavyweight Championship match but lost.

    The surprise of his return is enough to validate his win.

    Edge is awesome. OK, so he entered at 30. He bravely fought against Shawn Michaels, Batista, and John Cena, and eliminated Chris Jericho, who he lost to at WM XXVI.

16. Sheamus (2012)

    

    Stephen Farrelly, known professionally as Sheamus, is an Irish professional wrestler and actor. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. Sheamus is a former WWE Champion and has held multiple other titles throughout his career.

    He should be first because he's the best. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

17. Roman Reigns (2015)

    

    Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoaʻi was born on May 25, 1985. He is an American professional wrestler and a former professional Canadian football player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Roman Reigns.... read more

    Roman is the best. He will be like the Undertaker.

    The real champ, Roman. In his second Royal Rumble match, he still came out as the champ. Believe that.

18. Ric Flair (1992)

    

    Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American retired professional wrestler and current WWE legend under contract .

    Over a career spanning five decades, Flair is a 16-time world champion, having held titles in the NWA, WCW, and WWF/E. He's renowned... read more

19. Bret Hart (1994)

    

    Bret Sergeant Hart, better known by his ring name Bret "The Hitman" Hart, is a Canadian-American writer, actor, and retired professional and amateur wrestler. He is a member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler. Hart is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers... read more

20. Lex Luger (1994)

    

    Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl, better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American retired professional wrestler, television producer, and former football player. He's currently involved with WWE's wellness policy program. Luger was a major wrestling star in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly known... read more

21. Jim Duggan (1988)

    

22. Yokozuna (1993)

    

    Rodney Agatupu Anoaʻi was an American professional wrestler best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation, where he performed under the ring name Yokozuna. The name yokozuna refers to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. Anoaʻi held the WWF Championship twice during... read more

23. Big John Studd (1989)

    

    John William Minton was an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Big John Studd. He was best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s. Studd was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

24. Alberto Del Rio (2011)

    

    José Alberto Rodríguez (born September 25, 1977), best known as Alberto Del Rio, is a Mexican professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He made his WWE debut in 2010 and is a two-time WWE Champion and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. He also became the first wrestler from Mexico to... read more

25. Vince McMahon (1999)

    

    Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 24, 1945) is an American professional wrestling promoter and businessman best known as the long-time chairman and CEO of WWE, which he built into a global sports entertainment powerhouse .... read more

    He entered at #2, only eliminated one man all night (Stone Cold), and won the Royal Rumble.

26. Shinsuke Nakamura (2018)

    

    Shinsuke Nakamura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and performs on SmackDown. He rose to fame in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He also won the 2011 G1 Climax and the 2014 New Japan Cup.... read more