7 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About WWE's Royal Rumble

WWE's Royal Rumble is one of the most exciting matches in the history of the business, with this one bringing a lot of unpredictability and excitement due to the different interactions that can end up taking place. The show itself has become a huge one for the company, being considered to be one of the 'big four,' and that is why fans look forward to it so much.

10 Major Ways The Royal Rumble Has Changed Over The Years

WWE's Royal Rumble event has gone through a number of changes throughout the years!

However, while many fans know a lot about this particular match and event, there are some things that people still get wrong when talking about it. Whether that's because the stats are constantly changing or fans simply aren't aware of everything about the Rumble.

7 #1 Is The Worst Number To Draw

There Have Been Four Winners From This Number

Year	Winner
1995	Shawn Michaels
2004	Chris Benoit
2021	Edge
2023	Rhea Ripley

On paper, being entered first in the Royal Rumble creates an obvious disadvantage because the wrestler in question needs to outlast 29 other participants to win. However, considering how long they have to be in the ring for and the underdog nature of this spot, it has proven to be a strong number statistically.

Four wrestlers have been able to survive the entire match and walk away with the victory, and that has also led to some of the most memorable performances and wins in Rumble history.

6 #27 Is The Best Number To Draw

Five Wrestlers Have Won From #30

Year	Winner
1989	Big John Studd
1993	Yokozuna
1994	Bret Hart
2001	Steve Austin

Over the years, it has been promoted that the number 27 is the perfect number to draw when it comes to winning the Royal Rumble, and while it has produced four winners over the years, it is not the best number statistically for a wrestler to win it all. The fact that nobody has won the Rumble from this spot since 2001 is telling, as it isn't the perfect spot people believe it to be.

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WWE Royal Rumble 2024 is fast approaching. WWE should avoid these bad booking decisions that could potentially ruin the Road to WrestleMania.

On top of that, there has never been a female wrestler to win the Rumble from this number so far. However, when it comes to the best number, that honor goes to #30, which has produced five winners over the years.

5 It's Always 30 Participants

There Were Two Matches With Different Numbers

Year	Participants	Winner
1988	20	Jim Duggan
2011	40	Alberto Del Rio

The Royal Rumble is traditionally done with 30 participants, whether that is for the men's or the women's match. Considering how many times this match has happened, fans have become accustomed to that idea, but it doesn't mean that's always been the case.

The first Rumble in history only had 20 participants, with WWE deciding to bump it up to 30 afterward. However, the company decided to change things up again in 2011 for a one-off match by adding another 10 wrestlers to create a 40-man Rumble.

4 The Winner Always Headlines WrestleMania

Sometimes The Title Match Gets Slotted Elsewhere On The Card

Royal Rumble winners have opened WrestleMania in the past
The winner does always gain a World title shot at 'Mania

WWE often bills the Royal Rumble winner as the person who will go on to headline WrestleMania, with that seemingly being the prize. However, that hasn't necessarily been the case over the years as there are plenty of examples where the Rumble winner has competed much earlier in the night.

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Things don't always go as planned in the ring, with a few Royal Rumble eliminations occurring by accident!

While they do get to compete in a World Championship match, sometimes other storylines are bigger and get that moment. Plus, with two Rumble matches each year now, it cannot be guaranteed that they're always going to take up that position when WrestleMania rolls around.

3 The Match Is Always For A WrestleMania Match

Sometimes The Title Is On The Line Instead

Year	What's On The Line	Winner
1992	WWF World Heavyweight Championship	Ric Flair
2016	WWE World Heavyweight Championship	Triple H

Most fans believe that winning the Royal Rumble guarantees a WrestleMania match for a World Championship, and while that is traditionally the case that isn't always true. Sometimes a title itself is on the line, with WWE switching up the storylines to keep things fresh.

This has led to some big moments in WWE history, particularly at the 1992 Royal Rumble where Ric Flair put together one of the most memorable performances of his entire career.

2 It Is Always Shown On PPV

The Original Royal Rumble Was Actually A Television Special

The 1988 Royal Rumble was on the USA Network
There was a Rumble in 1987 at a live event

The Royal Rumble PPV is seen as one of the 'big four' events on the calendar for WWE, with this being a huge premium live event for the company. However, that hasn't always been the case because the original Rumble match was actually just a television special on the USA Network.

10 Best Promos In WWE Royal Rumble History, Ranked

Wrestling fans don't necessarily think of promos when talking about the Royal Rumble, but there have been some great ones throughout the years!

While the match was obviously the big draw for it, that didn't mean it was a PPV. On top of that, WWE tested out the concept that Pat Patterson created a year before with a 12-man version at a live event.

1 The Rumble Is Always The Main Event

WWE Has Booked Other Matches In This Spot Previously

Year	Match
1988	The Islanders vs. The Young Stallions
1996	Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker
1997	Sycho Sid vs. Shawn Michaels
1998	Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
2006	Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry
2013	CM Punk vs. The Rock
2023	Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens

The Royal Rumble match itself is the obvious draw when it comes to this annual premium live event. People get excited to see the matches because they provide so much excitement due to the unpredictable nature of the match, and considering the stakes on the line they're often the main event match.

However, the Rumble hasn't always closed the show over the years. Seven times WWE has opted to go with a different encounter to close the show, normally with a title match getting the nod instead.