“And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the annual, Royal Rumble!” The announcement, made legendary by Howard Fink, was met throughout the years with a roar from the audience attending the annual WWE event. The rules were simple. Thirty wrestlers entered the ring at forty five second intervals and attempted to eliminate each other by tossing the others over the top rope and onto the ground below. The remaining man would then get a title shot against any champion of his choice at the grandest stage of them all, Wrestlemania.
All previous winners have gone on to become world champions and legends in the annexes of the wrestling legacy. Wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Randy Orton, and Edge all have tasted Rumble victory and championship gold as a result of it.
But the rumble is more than a champion-maker, it is a legend maker. Every Rumble winner except John Cena is considered by the international wrestling communities as the best of the best.
The Rumble is also an event where memories and made and barriers are torn down. Who could have forgotten when Chyna became the very first woman to enter the Royal Rumble? Or when the late great Curt Henniq made his “perfect” return to the 2003 Rumble? Or when Maven drew the upset of the year by eliminating the Undertaker (and proceeded to get the holy hell beaten out of him for the deed)?
Who will win the Rumble this year and what will happen to make this Rumble as memorable as the others? Will John Morrison finally get his push or will it be given to the veteran, Goldust? Will Booker T make his WWE return and win? Will the Rock return to electrify the crowds? Or will Rowdy Rodney Piper made another appearance beside Jake “The Snake” Roberts? Only time will tell.