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.

The Top Ten

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

    Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, and formerly known as 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 WWE as an ambassador.... 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 (born April 23, 1977) is an American actor, retired professional wrestler, and former rapper. After retiring from in-ring competition in December 2025, he remained signed with WWE as a brand ambassador.... 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 retired professional wrestler and WWE executive. He was the first wrestler to win WWE's Grand Slam Championship under its original format. Known for his charisma and athleticism, his nicknames include HBK, the Heartbreak Kid, the Showstopper, Mr.... 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 a retired American professional wrestler who joined WWE in 1990. Calaway began his career in 1984 with World Class Championship Wrestling and briefly wrestled in World Championship Wrestling as "Mean" Mark Callous... 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 an American professional wrestler who performs for WWE on the Raw brand. Known for his high-flying lucha libre style, he is considered one of the most influential cruiserweight wrestlers in history. Mysterio has held multiple championships... 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 retired professional wrestler, corporate executive, and actor. He is the Chief Content Officer for WWE, where he previously served as an executive vice president. Triple H is a 14-time world champion and a key figure in the... 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, born May 21, 1967, 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 and World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment, including... 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 14-time world champion, having held the WWE Championship 10 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 professional wrestler. He gained fame in WWE during the late 1990s and early 2000s before transitioning to a successful Hollywood career, starring in films from The Fast and the Furious... 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, is an American retired 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... read more

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

    11. 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 won the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match in 2014 and again in 2025. Seth Rollins is a multi-time world and tag team champion who won his first Intercontinental Championship... read more

  12. ?

    Braun Strowman (2018 Greatest Royal Rumble)

    Adam Scherr is an American professional wrestler and former strongman best known for performing under the ring name Braun Strowman during his tenure with WWE. In WWE, he held the Universal Championship once and the Intercontinental Championship once. He also held the Raw Tag Team Championship twice.

    13. 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, retired professional wrestler, and former 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... read more

  15. Edge (2010, 2021)

    Adam Joseph Copeland is a Canadian actor and professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling, where he performs under his real name, after becoming famous in WWE under the ring name Edge. A WWE Hall of Famer, Copeland is known for his multiple world championship reigns and his involvement... 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 signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw 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 former professional Canadian football player. He is signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Roman Reigns and is the World Heavyweight Champion.... 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. Over a career spanning five decades, Flair is recognized by WWE as a 16-time world champion, having held titles in the NWA, WCW, and WWF/WWE. He's renowned for his "Woo!" catchphrase... 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 Pfohl, better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American retired professional wrestler, bodybuilder, and former professional football lineman. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025. Luger was a major wrestling star in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly known for his... 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 during the 1980s. Studd was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

  24. Alberto Del Rio (2011)

    José Alberto Rodríguez Chucuan (born May 25, 1977), best known as Alberto Del Rio, is a Mexican professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He made his WWE main-roster debut in 2010 and is a two-time WWE Champion and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. He also became the first Mexican-born... 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 former 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 and former mixed martial artist signed to WWE, where he 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

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