Top 20 Surprise Entrants in the Royal Rumble
#20: Road Dogg Jesse James
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“Royal Rumble” (2012)
What, you didn’t know Road Dogg made a return to the WWE squared circle after a 10-year-plus absence? Well, your ass better call somebody! By this time, the former DX member was all but retired from in-ring competition and was working as a backstage agent and producer for the WWE. And even though he was back in the public consciousness thanks to a guest appearance at that year’s Slammy Awards, his return to the Rumble was still a pleasant surprise. “The New Age Outlaw” showed that he could still mix it up with the best of them!
#19: Bob Backlund
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“Royal Rumble” (2000)
Former WWE champion and Hall-of-Famer Bob Backlund’s addition to the 2000 edition of the Royal Rumble was special for several reasons. Not only was this Backlund’s first appearance in the WWE in over three years, but it marked his return to the arena that he main-evented in during his prime – Madison Square Garden. The fans in the Garden gave Backlund a deserved raucous ovation. And even though he only managed to last two minutes in the bout, getting eliminated by Chris Jericho, it proved to be an unforgettable moment in the Rumble’s legacy.
#18: Drew Carey
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“Royal Rumble” (2001)
With the likes of Johnny Knoxville and Bad Bunny (more on him later), the Royal Rumble has featured its share of celebrity entrants over the years. The first bona fide star to step through the ropes at the Rumble, however, was none other than Drew Carey. Yep, after managing to anger Vince McMahon in a backstage segment, Carey was surprisingly thrust into the Royal Rumble match. Unfortunately for the comedian and game show host, he found himself in the cross hairs of the “Big Red Machine” Kane. And, when a little bribery didn’t go his way, he chose to eliminate himself. We don’t blame ya Drew!
#17: Carlos Colon
“Royal Rumble” (1993)
In the early days of the Rumble, surprise entrants had yet to become the signature part of the event that it is today. However, a 1993 match competitor sure caused some head scratching. An unadvertised appearance from wrestler and promoter Carlos Colon appeared to confuse the fans in attendance at Sacramento’s ARCO Arena. While Colon was a legend in his home country of Puerto Rico, he was a virtual unknown to the average American wrestling fan. Making things even more strange was play-by-play announcer Gorilla Monsoon’s declaration that there was "a lot of fire in this youngster.” The veteran was 45-years-of-age at the time.
#16: Santina Marella
“Royal Rumble” (2020)
Not all surprises at the Royal Rumble are going to be fan favorites. In the 2020 Women’s Rumble match, a so-called “comedy spot” didn’t go over quite so well. During his WWE run, Santino Marella was a hugely entertaining super star. Unfortunately, Santino also took on an alter ego at times, his “twin sister” Santina Morella. Santina infamously won a Diva’s Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 25 to become “Miss Wrestlemania” - something many complained undermined the female talent involved. So, when the character returned at the 2020 Rumble, it was a reminder of just how despised it was. Luckily, Natalya and Beth Phoenix sent Santina packing!
#15: Bad Bunny
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“Royal Rumble” (2022)
It’s safe to say that the 2022 Royal Rumble is not the most celebrated event amongst fans. With Brock Lesner losing earlier in the night to Bobby Lashley, it became clear he was positioned to enter the titular bout and win it. It was also clear fans in attendance were longing for a special appearance to liven the mood. And, with the surprise arrival of music sensation Bad Bunny, they got it! Bunny returned to the WWE to one of the biggest ovations in Rumble history. There’s no two ways about it, the multi-Grammy winner further cemented himself as a respected celebrity wrestler with his performance that night!
#14: Beth Phoenix
“Royal Rumble” (2010)
In the year 2000, Chyna made history when she became the first female to enter the men's Royal Rumble match. It would take 10 years for another female to follow in the late Hall-of-Famer’s footsteps. Enter Beth Phoenix. “The Glamazon'' shocked everyone at the 2010 event when she entered as the #6 entrant - creating another historic moment for women’s wrestling in the process. Phoenix’s addition to the match, and her subsequent elimination of The Great Khali, would go down in WWE history books as a true Royal Rumble highlight!
#13: Hacksaw Jim Duggan
“Royal Rumble” (2012)
Ok, we hear you – WWE legend Hacksaw Jim Duggan had no business being in a wrestling ring in the year 2012. But, what makes this surprise entrance noteworthy is the fact that ol’ Hacksaw was the first ever winner of the Royal Rumble match back in 1988. And even though he was well past his prime, the 2X4 possessing brawler was well received by the audience. How could he not? Duggan has always been able to rally the crowd with his cries of “Ho!” and “USA!” Yep, it was certainly a nice tip-of-the-hat to the OG Rumble victor!
#12: Dolph Ziggler
“Royal Rumble” (2018)
The #30 spot in the Royal Rumble is without a doubt the most coveted. And in 2018, the #30 spot also signaled a surprise return. After vacating the United States championship and seemingly “quitting” the WWE a month prior, Dolph Ziggler returned to show the world just how great he was. Unfortunately, his return was a bust. Dolph lasted just two minutes before being tossed over the top rope to the floor by Finn Balor. It may have been a letdown for fans of Dolph, but based on the reaction he got, it was clear most people were just happy to have him back.
#11: Kevin Nash
Kevin Tsujihara, #Metoo, and Warner Bros
“Royal Rumble” (2011)
In 2011, WWE fans were treated to the return of Kevin Nash… or should we say, “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel? His return was a massive shock at the time – to say the least. For all intents and purposes, it appeared Nash was set to take part in the reformation of the Main Event Mafia in rival company, TNA. So, when the audience heard Diesel’s signature Mack Truck horn blare at the 2011 Rumble, they lost their collective minds – as did the WWE announce team. Afterall, Nash was a former WWE champion and a larger-than-life star. This surprise was definitely “too sweet.”
#10: Booker T
“Royal Rumble” (2011)
Like Kevin Nash, Booker T was nowhere near anyone’s radar as being a part of the 2011 Royal Rumble match. Booker was also very much expected to be part of TNA’s new Main Event Mafia team. Clearly, he had other plans. Boston’s TD Garden became unglued when Booker’s theme prologue, “Can you dig it, sucka,” came over the arena speakers. It was a legitimate goosebump-inducing entrance. The multi-time world champ didn’t last very long in the bout, however, but his appearance was more than enough to make the audience happy. After a prolonged absence, Booker T was finally back in the WWE!
#9: Kharma
“Royal Rumble” (2012)
When the former Awesome Kong was signed to the WWE, it was seen as a big deal – something that was truly going to shake up the then floundering Diva’s division. Alas, following some personal issues, the now-christened Kharma announced she needed to step away from in-ring competition. That is until the 2012 Royal Rumble. Kharma’s return was a straight up shocker, sending a terrified Michael Cole out of the ring. She would go on to eliminate Hunico before being eliminated herself. But, while Kharma’s return was short lived, it was very memorable! Right Michael Cole?
#8: Christian
“Royal Rumble” (2021)
Like his former tag-team partner Edge, it looked like Christian’s wrestling career was cut short due to injury. And, like Edge a year prior, Christian also defied the odds in 2021. Without question, his return at that year’s Royal Rumble shocked fans worldwide. The Rumble match marked Christian's first time back in the ring in over seven years. The moment was made even more special when Christian and Edge embraced in the middle of the ring at point. He has since made the jump to All Elite Wrestling where his work is being lauded as some of his best yet. But, his comeback all started at the Royal Rumble!
#7: Bubba Ray Dudley
“Royal Rumble” (2015)
Competing alongside D-Von in the Dudley Boyz tag team, Bubba Ray Dudley was a fixture during the WWE’s attitude era. But, after competing at 2005’s One Night Stand, Bubba would exit the company for nearly a decade. After reinventing himself in TNA, Bubba shocked the world when he returned to the WWE as an entrant in the 2015 Royal Rumble match. Once again donning his signature camo, Bubba kickstarted a second run with the. Oh, did we mention this was Dudley’s first time competing in a Rumble? What took him so long?
#6: Trish Stratus
“Royal Rumble” (2018)
The year was 2018 and the stage was set for the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match! The anticipated bout would feature a flurry of past female stars returning for the occasion. Fans were treated to the homecomings of Lita, The Bella Twins, and Molly Holly – to name a few. But, it was the #30 entrant that sent the audience into a frenzy. WWE Hall-of-Famer Trish Stratus emerged as the final participant to a prolonged pop! It was also clear to everyone that the former Women’s Champion was in top tier shape, despite her near decade-long absence from competition.
#5: The 3 Faces of Foley
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“Royal Rumble” (1998)
While Cactus Jack was announced for the 1998 Royal Rumble match, Mick Foley’s other alter-egos were not. That’s what makes Foley’s ’98 Rumble showing so legendary! After starting as the #11 entrant, Cactus Jack was soon eliminated by Chainsaw Charlie – AKA Terry Funk. So, imagine everyone’s surprise when Mick showed up later in the match as Mankind. Following his elimination at the hands of Goldust, Foley popped up once more as Dude Love. And while entering 3 different times certainly increased his odds of winning, it ultimately didn’t go his way. Farooq would eventually eliminate the “Dudester,” leaving Mick with no other personas to step into.
#4: Chris Jericho
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“Royal Rumble” (2013)
When Chris Jericho lost a storyline “contract terminating match” against Dolph Ziggler in 2012, it was no secret that the wrestler/rocker was taking time off to go on tour with his band Fozzy. And, with that, Y2J was all but removed from the collective consciousness. That’s what made his 2013 Royal Rumble arrival so exciting - fans weren’t ready for it. Making this unexpected return even more memorable, was the fact that Jericho entered at #2 and lasted nearly 48-minutes. For those keeping score, that’s the second longest anyone has lasted in the Rumble – ever!
#3: AJ Styles
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“Royal Rumble” (2016)
To say AJ Style’s debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble was shocking would be a wee bit of an understatement. A mainstay at TNA/Impact wrestling, it was said that Styles had continually turned down offers to compete in the WWE over the years. The reason – he did not want to force his family to relocate. But, after conquering TNA, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, the WWE was his last hill to climb. Even still, no one expected Styles to make the leap. But leap he did, right into the ring in front of 15,000 fans at the Amway Centre in Orlando Florida at the 2016 Rumble. "The Phenomenal One" had finally arrived!
#2: John Cena
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“Royal Rumble” (2008)
There’s a reason John Cena’s 2008 Royal Rumble entrance is shown in nearly every hype package for the event. What makes it an all-time great moment, is that it was incredibly unexpected. You see, Cena had been out of commission after tearing his pectoral muscle clean off the bone 6-months prior. His timetable to return was not for another 3-4 months. But John Cena is no ordinary man. With his injury behind him, Cena arrived as the #30 entrant and nearly blew the roof off Madison Square Garden in the process. To add icing on the cake, John went on to win the whole darn thing!
#1: Edge
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“Royal Rumble” (2020)
Thanks to a surprise entrance at the 2010 Royal Rumble, Edge was always going to make this list. But, it’s the “Rated R Superstar’s” 2020 return that cements him as the surprise entrant to beat all others. A beloved performer, Edge was forced to retire in 2011 because of cervical spinal stenosis – something that could lead to paralysis. Fans were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news. Fast-forward 9 years later, and the words "you think you know me" come on the loudspeaker at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Edge had made a miraculous recovery and was back where he belonged!
