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{{short description|WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event series}}
{{about|the event series|games based on this event|WWF Royal Rumble (1993 video game)|and|WWF Royal Rumble (2000 video game)|the namesake match|Royal Rumble match}}
{{pp-protected|reason=Persistent addition of [[WP:INTREF|unsourced or poorly sourced content]]|expiry=04:42, January 30, 2016|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox wrestling PPV series
| name            = Royal Rumble
| image           = <div style="background-color:black;padding:10px;padding:12px;">[[File:Royal Rumble logo (2022).png|220px]]</div>
| caption         = WWE Royal Rumble logo
| alt             = The current Royal Rumble logo, first used in 2017
| created_by      = [[Pat Patterson]]
| promotion       = [[WWE]]
| brands          = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] (2003–2011, 2017–present)<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] (2003–2011, 2017–present)<br>[[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] (2007–2010)<br>[[205 Live]] (2019)
| first_event     = [[Royal Rumble (1988)|1988]]
| last_event      = 
| signature_match = [[Royal Rumble match]]
}}
'''Royal Rumble''' is a [[professional wrestling]] event, produced annually since 1988 by [[WWE]], the world's largest [[professional wrestling promotion]]. It is named after, and centered on, the [[Royal Rumble match]], a modified [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. After the inaugural [[Royal Rumble (1988)|1988 event]] aired as a [[television special]] on the [[USA Network]], the Royal Rumble has been broadcast via [[pay-per-view]] since the [[Royal Rumble (1989)|1989 event]] and [[livestreaming]] since the [[Royal Rumble (2015)|2015 event]]. The event is traditionally held in late January, but in 2025, it was held in early February. It is one of WWE's five biggest events of the year, along with [[WrestleMania]], [[SummerSlam]], [[Survivor Series]], and [[WWE Money in the Bank|Money in the Bank]], referred to as the "Big Five".

The Royal Rumble match is generally held as the main event of the annual event. There are some exceptions, such as the 1988, [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996]], [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997]], [[Royal Rumble (1998)|1998]], [[Royal Rumble (2006)|2006]], [[Royal Rumble (2013)|2013]], and [[Royal Rumble (2023)|2023]] events. In 1988, the main event was a [[tag team match]], while for all the others, it was a men's [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match. While originally only for men, a women's version of the Royal Rumble match was held as the main event at the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|2018 event]], which was also the first event to have two Rumble matches on one card. It subsequently became standard to have both a men's and women's Royal Rumble match at the annual event. The [[Royal Rumble (2025)|2025 event]] was the first to be held in a [[National Football League]] stadium, while the [[Royal Rumble (2026)|2026 event]] will be the first to take place outside of North America as it will be held in [[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]], which will be the first of WWE's "Big Five" held in the country.

== History ==
=== Event ===
The [[Royal Rumble match]] was created by wrestler and [[WWE Hall of Fame]]r [[Pat Patterson]] and the event was established by the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE). After the match was first tested at a [[house show]] in October 1987,<ref name="RRhistory">{{cite web|last=Burkholder|first=Denny|title=The Lost Royal Rumble and how a signature WWE event survived despite early failure|url=https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/the-lost-royal-rumble-and-how-a-signature-wwe-event-survived-despite-early-failure/|date=January 26, 2017|work=[[CBSSports]]|access-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127102925/https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/the-lost-royal-rumble-and-how-a-signature-wwe-event-survived-despite-early-failure/|archive-date=January 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Royal Rumble (1988)|first Royal Rumble]] event took place on January 24, 1988, and was broadcast [[Live television|live]] as a [[television special]] on the [[USA Network]].<ref name=RF161>Ric Flair. ''Ric Flair: To Be the Man'' (p.161)</ref> The following year, the event started to be broadcast on [[pay-per-view]] (PPV),<ref name=pwh>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#89|title=Royal Rumble results|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com|access-date=December 5, 2007}}</ref> and thus became one of the "Big Four" annual PPVs, along with [[WrestleMania]], [[Survivor Series]], and [[SummerSlam]], the promotion's then-four biggest shows of the year.<ref name=Main166>Brian Shields. ''Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s'' (p.166)</ref><ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p. 160)</ref> From 1993 to 2002, it was considered one of the "Big Five", including [[King of the Ring]], but that PPV event was discontinued after 2002 (although it returned to PPV in [[King and Queen of the Ring (2024)|2024]]).<ref>{{cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin|author-link=Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|title=The WWE Championship: A Look Back at the Rich History of the WWE Championship|date=November 23, 2010|publisher=[[Gallery Books]]|isbn=9781439193211|page=124|quote=At the time, SummerSlam was one of WWE's "big five" Pay-Per-Views (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King of the Ring, and Survivor Series were the others), ...}}</ref> In August 2021, [[WWE Money in the Bank|Money in the Bank]] became recognized as one of the "Big Five".<ref name="MITB-Big5">{{cite web|author=News 3 Staff|title=Las Vegas to host WWE's Money in the Bank in 2022|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-to-host-wwes-money-in-the-bank-in-2022|website=[[KSNV]]|access-date=May 31, 2022|date=August 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823161938/https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-vegas-to-host-wwes-money-in-the-bank-in-2022|archive-date=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lambert|first1=Jeremy|last2=Sapp|first2=Sean Ross|title=WWE Money In The Bank 2023 To Be Held At O2 Arena In London On July 1|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/wwe-money-bank-2023-be-held-02-arena-london-july-1-0|work=Fightful|date=January 5, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105120351/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/wwe-money-bank-2023-be-held-02-arena-london-july-1-0|archive-date=January 5, 2023|url-status=live|quote=The O2 is one of the world's premier venues and the perfect home for Money In The Bank. We are excited to bring one of our 'Big 5' events to the UK and look forward to welcoming the WWE Universe to London on July 1.}}</ref>

In May 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) following a lawsuit with the [[World Wildlife Fund]] over the "WWF" initialism.<ref name=GetFOut>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|date=May 6, 2002|work=[[WWE]]|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|access-date=August 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050321172148/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|archive-date=March 21, 2005}}</ref> In April 2011, the promotion ceased using its full name with the "WWE" abbreviation becoming an [[orphaned initialism]].<ref>{{cite press release|last1=Sacco|first1=Justine|last2=Weitz|first2=Michael|date=April 7, 2011|title=The New WWE|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2011/04-07-2011|location=[[Connecticut]]|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503100415/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2011/04-07-2011|archive-date=May 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in March 2002, the promotion introduced the [[WWE brand extension|brand extension]], in which the roster was divided between the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] brands where wrestlers were exclusively assigned to perform on their respective weekly television shows<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite press release|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE to make Raw and SmackDown! distinct TV brands|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=March 27, 2002|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=April 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp}}</ref>—[[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] became a third brand in 2006.<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=June 2, 2006}}</ref> The first brand extension was dissolved in August 2011,<ref>{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Raw Results – 8/29/11|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|work=WrestleView|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831224708/https://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1314677739|archive-date=August 31, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> but it was reintroduced in July 2016 (other brands, including [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], [[NXT UK (WWE brand)|NXT UK]], and [[205 Live (WWE brand)|205 Live]], would also be active during this second brand split).<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE's destiny to be determined during SmackDown's Live premiere|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/live-draft-smackdown-premiere|work=[[WWE]]|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621124817/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/live-draft-smackdown-premiere|author=WWE.com Staff|archive-date=June 21, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Royal Rumble, along with the other original "Big Four" events, were the only PPVs to never be held exclusively for one brand during either brand split periods. The [[2008 Royal Rumble]] was the first WWE pay-per-view to be available in [[High-definition television|high-definition]].<ref name=rrhd>{{cite web|last=Clayton|first=Cory|title=How do I get WWE HD on my HDTV|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehdfaqs|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 20, 2008}}</ref> In 2015, the Royal Rumble began to air on WWE's online streaming service, the [[WWE Network]], which launched in February 2014,<ref>{{cite web|last=Flint|first=Joe|title=WWE launching over-the-top network|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-wwe-network-20140108-story.html|date=January 8, 2014|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814041829/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-wwe-network-20140108-story.html|archive-date=August 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2022, the event became available on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] as the American version of the WWE Network merged under Peacock in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/standalone-wwe-network-app-shutting-down-44-new-details-wwe-transition-peacock|title=Standalone WWE Network App Shutting Down In The US On 4/4, New Details On The Transition To Peacock|date=March 8, 2021|last=Defelice|first=Robert|work=Fightful|access-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183858/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/standalone-wwe-network-app-shutting-down-44-new-details-wwe-transition-peacock|archive-date=March 8, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] that began affecting the industry in March 2020, WWE had to hold its events [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]]. The [[Royal Rumble (2021)|2021 event]] was in turn held in WWE's [[bio-secure bubble]] called the [[WWE ThunderDome]], which at the time was hosted at [[Tropicana Field]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE ThunderDome will head to Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field beginning Friday, Dec. 11|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-thunderdome-will-head-to-tampa-bays-tropicana-field-beginning-friday-dec-11|work=[[WWE]]|date=November 19, 2020|author=WWE.com Staff|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119150550/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-thunderdome-will-head-to-tampa-bays-tropicana-field-beginning-friday-dec-11|archive-date=November 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=WWE ThunderDome Moving To Tropicana Field On December 11|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-thunderdome-moving-tropicana-field-december-11|work=Fightful|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119155121/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-thunderdome-moving-tropicana-field-december-11|archive-date=November 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>  WWE resumed live touring in July 2021 and the [[Royal Rumble (2022)|2022 event]] was held at [[The Dome at America's Center]] in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]].<ref name="2022event">{{cite web|title=WWE Announces Date And Location For Royal Rumble 2022|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-date-and-location-royal-rumble-2022|work=Fightful|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|date=September 27, 2021|access-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927133003/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-date-and-location-royal-rumble-2022|archive-date=September 27, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

From its inception in 1988 up through the [[Royal Rumble (2024)|2024 event]], the Royal Rumble was held annually in late January. On June 24, 2024, WWE announced a partnership with the Indiana Sports Corp which would see the [[2025 Royal Rumble]], as well as a future WrestleMania and a future SummerSlam, held at the [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], marking the first Royal Rumble held in a [[National Football League]] stadium. The date for the 2025 Royal Rumble was announced for February 1, thus marking the first Royal Rumble held outside of January. This was also the first Royal Rumble, and WWE's first PPV and livestreaming event, to air on [[Netflix]] following the international WWE Network's merger under the platform in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE announces Indianapolis, Ind. will host WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble in first-of-its-kind multi-event deal with a city|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/06/24/wwe-announces-indianapolis-ind-will-host-wrestlemania-summerslam-and-royal-rumble-in-first-of-its-kind-multi-event-deal-with-a-city/|date=June 24, 2024|work=[[PWTorch]]|access-date=June 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624174603/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/06/24/wwe-announces-indianapolis-ind-will-host-wrestlemania-summerslam-and-royal-rumble-in-first-of-its-kind-multi-event-deal-with-a-city/|archive-date=June 24, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2018, WWE began a 10-year strategic multiplatform partnership with the [[Ministry of Sport (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Sport]] (formerly General Sports Authority) in support of [[Saudi Vision 2030]], [[Saudi Arabia]]'s social and economic reform program. The first event in this partnership was the one-off [[Greatest Royal Rumble]], which featured a 50-man Royal Rumble match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/saudi-arabia-to-host-greatest-royal-rumble-april-2018|title=Saudi Arabia to host the Greatest Royal Rumble|work=[[WWE]]|date=March 5, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305211345/https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/saudi-arabia-to-host-greatest-royal-rumble-april-2018|archive-date=March 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Transformation Program 2020|url=https://vision2030.gov.sa/sites/default/files/NTP_En.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828193836/https://vision2030.gov.sa/sites/default/files/NTP_En.pdf|archive-date=August 28, 2017}}</ref> In May 2024, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's [[General Entertainment Authority]], [[Turki Alalshikh]], announced that the country was in talks with WWE to bring either the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania to the country in 2026 or 2027.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-wwe-wrestlemania-royal-rumble/|title=Saudi Arabia Hosting WWE WrestleMania Or Royal Rumble Update|website=WrestleTalk|date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515231052/https://wrestletalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-wwe-wrestlemania-royal-rumble/|archive-date=May 15, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahead of [[WWE Raw premiere on Netflix|''Raw''{{'}}s premiere on Netflix]] on January 6, 2025, WWE officially confirmed that the [[Royal Rumble (2026)|39th Royal Rumble]] would be happening in [[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]] as part of [[Riyadh Season]] in January 2026, marking the first Royal Rumble to be held outside of North America, and the first of the "Big Five" held in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-2026-take-place-saudi-arabia|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2026 To Take Place In Saudi Arabia|date=January 6, 2025|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=January 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106202950/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-2026-take-place-saudi-arabia|archive-date=January 6, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to the Royal Rumble matches taking up a large amount of time (most Rumble matches last roughly one hour), the Royal Rumble event tends to have a smaller [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Card|card]] than most other pay-per-view events. The men's Royal Rumble match is usually the main event, though there have been exceptions, namely the 1988, [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996]], [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997]], [[Royal Rumble (1998)|1998]], [[Royal Rumble (2006)|2006]], [[Royal Rumble (2013)|2013]], [[Royal Rumble (2018)|2018]], and [[Royal Rumble (2023)|2023]] events.<ref name=guard>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/01/29/old-guard-dominates-rumble/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724024349/https://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|url-status=live|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=Old guard dominates Rumble|first1=Dale|last1=Plummer|first2=Nick|last2=Tylwalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=January 29, 2007}}</ref> In these cases, 1988's main event was a tag team match, while the others were men's world championship matches, except in 2018. The 2018 Royal Rumble was the first to include a women's Royal Rumble match, which was the main event for that year. It was subsequently the first in which two Rumble matches were contested on one card and it is now standard for the event to include both a men's and women's Rumble match.<ref name="WomenRumble">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|title=The first-ever 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match|date=December 18, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221004309/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|archive-date=December 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Match ===
{{main|Royal Rumble match}}
The Royal Rumble match is based on the classic [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]], in which a number of wrestlers (traditionally 30) aim at eliminating their competitors by tossing them over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. The difference between a Royal Rumble and a standard battle royal is that in a standard battle royal, all participants start the match in the ring at the same time, where in a Royal Rumble match, two participants start and then the rest enter at timed intervals.<ref name=wwematch>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 3, 2007|archive-date=May 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512230454/http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=stats>{{cite web|last=Waldman|title=Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714085840/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|first=Jon|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=February 2, 2005}}</ref> The winner of the match is the last wrestler remaining after all others have been eliminated. Since the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 event]], the prize for winning is a world championship match at WrestleMania, with the exception of the [[Royal Rumble (2016)|2016 event]], where the prize was the [[WWE Championship]] (at the time known as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship) as reigning champion [[Roman Reigns]] defended the title in the match.<ref name=wwematch/><ref name=mysterio>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120629143618/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|url-status= usurped|archive-date= June 29, 2012|title=Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again|author=Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=January 30, 2006}}</ref> According to [[Hornswoggle]], who worked for WWE from 2006 until 2016 and participated in two Rumbles, participants may learn their eliminations by knowing the two wrestlers who are eliminated before them and which wrestlers are entering the Royal Rumble before and after their elimination.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=YouShoot Swoggle (Hornswoggle) |url=http://www.kayfabecommentariesuk.com/category-19/ysswog.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914174327/http://www.kayfabecommentariesuk.com/category-19/ysswog.html|archive-date=September 14, 2016|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Events and winners ==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! rowspan="2" scope="col"|#
! rowspan="2" | Event
! rowspan="2" | Date
! rowspan="2" | City
! rowspan="2" | Venue
! rowspan="2" | Main event
! colspan="4" | Royal Rumble Winner
! class="unsortable" rowspan="2" | Ref.
|-
! Men's
! No.
! Women's
! No.
|-
|1
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1988)]]
| January 24, 1988
| [[Hamilton, Ontario]], [[Canada]]
| [[Copps Coliseum]]
| {{small|The Islanders ([[Tonga Fifita|Haku]] and [[Sam Fatu|Tama]]) vs. The Young Stallions ([[Paul Roma]] and [[Jim Powers]]) in a [[two out of three falls match]]}}
| {{Sortname|Jim|Duggan}}
| {{sort|13|13}}
| colspan="2" rowspan="31" {{n/a}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1988 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1988 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|2
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1989)]]
| January 15, 1989
| [[Houston, Texas]]
| [[The Summit (Houston)|The Summit]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]]}}
| {{sortname|Big John|Studd}}
| {{sort|27|27}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988115/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1989 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988115/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1989 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|3
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1990)]]
| January 21, 1990
| [[Orlando, Florida]]
| [[Orlando Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]]}}
| {{sortname|Hulk|Hogan}}
| {{sort|25|25}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881151/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1990 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881151/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1990 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|4
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1991)]]
| January 19, 1991
| [[Miami, Florida]]
| [[Miami Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]]}}
| {{sortname|Hulk|Hogan}} (2)
| {{sort|24|24}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1991 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2009-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1991 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2009-07-08}}</ref>
|-
|5
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1992)]]
| January 19, 1992
| [[Albany, New York]]
| [[Knickerbocker Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for the vacant [[WWF World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
| {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
| {{sort|03|3}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1992 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1992 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|6
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1993)]]
| January 24, 1993
| [[Sacramento, California]]
| [[ARCO Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania IX]]}}
| [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]
| {{sort|27|27}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1993 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1993 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |7
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1994)]]
| rowspan="2" | January 22, 1994
| rowspan="2" | [[Providence, Rhode Island]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Providence Civic Center]]
| rowspan="2" | {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania X]]}}
| {{sortname|Lex|Luger}}
| {{sort|23|23}}
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1994 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1994 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Bret|Hart}}
| {{sort|27|27}}
|-
|8
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1995)]]
| January 22, 1995
| [[Tampa, Florida]]
| [[USF Sun Dome]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania XI]]}}
| {{sortname|Shawn|Michaels}}
| {{sort|01|1}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988117/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1995 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988117/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1995 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|9
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1996)]]
| January 21, 1996
| [[Fresno, California]]
| [[Selland Arena]]
| {{small|[[Bret Hart]] (c) vs. [[The Undertaker]] for the [[WWF World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
| {{sortname|Shawn|Michaels}} (2)
| {{sort|18|18}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1996 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1996 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|10
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1997)]]
| January 19, 1997
| [[San Antonio, Texas]]
| [[Alamodome]]
| {{small|[[Sycho Sid]] (c) vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] for the [[WWF Championship]]}}
| [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]
| {{sort|05|5}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1997 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1997 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|11
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1998)]]
| January 18, 1998
| [[San Jose, California]]
| [[San Jose Arena]]
| {{small|[[Shawn Michaels]] (c) vs. [[The Undertaker]] in a [[Casket match]] for the [[WWF Championship]]}}
| [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] (2)
| {{sort|24|24}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811511/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1998 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811511/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1998 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Austin wins predictable Rumble">{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 19, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jan19_rumble.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721225358/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jan19_rumble.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2012|title=Austin wins predictable Rumble|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|12
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (1999)]]
| January 24, 1999
| [[Anaheim, California]]
| [[Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania XV]]}}
| {{sortname|Mr.|McMahon|Vince McMahon}}
| {{sort|02|2}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1999 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="MainEvent1999">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 1999 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="McMahon wins Rumble, Rock champ again">{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Gramlich|date=January 25, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jan25_rumble.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721140557/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jan25_rumble.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2012|title=McMahon wins Rumble, Rock champ again|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|13
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2000)]]
| January 23, 2000
| [[New York City, New York]]
| [[Madison Square Garden]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania 2000]]}}
| {{sortname|The|Rock|Dwayne Johnson}}
| {{sort|24|24}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811411/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2000 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="MainEvent2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811411/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2000 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Rocky wins the Rumble, A bloody Triple H defeats Cactus Jack">{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 24, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan24_royalrumble.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629105451/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan24_royalrumble.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Rocky wins the Rumble, A bloody Triple H defeats Cactus Jack|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|14
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2001)]]
| January 21, 2001
| [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
| [[New Orleans Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]]}}
| [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] (3)
| {{sort|27|27}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881142/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2001 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881142/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2001 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Surprises dominate Rumble 2001">{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 22, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan22_rumble-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713150252/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan22_rumble-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Surprises dominate Rumble 2001|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|15
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2002)]]
| January 20, 2002
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| [[Philips Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for an [[Undisputed WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania X8]]}}
| [[Triple H]]
| {{sort|22|22}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2002 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2002 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Rumble 2002 stumbles, Triple H wins WrestleMania spot">{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 21, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan21_rumble-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630174936/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan21_rumble-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Rumble 2002 stumbles, Triple H wins WrestleMania spot|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|16
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2003)]]
| January 19, 2003
| [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
| [[FleetCenter]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XIX]]}}
| {{sortname|Brock|Lesnar}}
| {{sort|29|29}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881141/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2003 Results |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881141/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2003 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|17
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2004)]]
| January 25, 2004
| [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]
| [[Wachovia Center (Philadelphia)|Wachovia Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XX]]}}
| {{sortname|Chris|Benoit}}
| {{sort|01|1}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988118/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2004 Results| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2009-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988118/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2004 Main Event Synopsis |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604030744/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988118/mainevent/ |archive-date=June 4, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Tortoriello wins the 'Rumble'">{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|date=January 26, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/01/26/325195.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718053734/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2004/01/26/325195.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 18, 2012|title=Benoit wins the 'Rumble'|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|18
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2005)]]
| January 30, 2005
| [[Fresno, California]]
| [[Save Mart Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 21]]}}
| [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]
| {{sort|28|28}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2005 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2005 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Batista claims the Rumble">{{cite web|first=Dale|last=Plummer|date=January 31, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2005/01/31/915606.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717001443/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2005/01/31/915606.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Batista claims the Rumble|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|19
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2006)]]
| January 29, 2006
| [[Miami, Florida]]
| [[American Airlines Arena]]
| {{small|[[Kurt Angle]] (c) vs. [[Mark Henry]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
| {{sortname|Rey|Mysterio}}
| {{sort|02|2}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2006/|title=Royal Rumble 2006 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2006/matches/31409413/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2006 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again">{{cite web|first=Dale|last= Plummer|date=January 30, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143618/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/01/30/1418142.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Mysterio claims Rumble; Cena reigns again|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|20
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2007)]]
| January 28, 2007
| [[San Antonio, Texas]]
| [[AT&T Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 23]]}}
| {{sortname|The|Undertaker}}
| {{sort|30|30}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2007/|title=Royal Rumble 2007 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2010-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2007/matches/35535102/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2007 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Old guard dominates Rumble">{{cite web|first=Dale|last=Plummer|date=January 28, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724024349/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/01/28/3473071.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=Old guard dominates Rumble|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|21
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2008)]]
| January 27, 2008
| [[New York City, New York]]
| [[Madison Square Garden]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XXIV]]}}
| {{sortname|John|Cena}}
| {{sort|30|30}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2008/|title=Royal Rumble 2008 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=2010-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2008/matches/5267610321112/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2008 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Cena wins Rumble in surprise return">{{cite web|first=Dale|last=Plummer|date=January 28, 1998|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/01/28/4797664.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629175015/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/01/28/4797664.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Cena wins Rumble in surprise return|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|22
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2009)]]
| January 25, 2009
| [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]
| [[Joe Louis Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XXV]]}}
| {{sortname|Randy|Orton}}
| {{sort|08|8}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/|title=Royal Rumble 2009 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9050360/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2009 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref>
|-
|23
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2010)]]
| January 31, 2010
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| [[Philips Arena]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]]}}
| [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]]
| {{sort|29|29}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/|title=Royal Rumble 2010 Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MainEvent2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9887158/results/|title=Royal Rumble 2010 Main Event Synopsis|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref>
|-
|24
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2011)]]
| January 30, 2011
| [[Boston, Massachusetts]]
| [[TD Garden]]
| {{small|40-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]]}}
| {{sortname|Alberto|Del Rio}}
| {{sort|38|38}}
| <ref name="2011event">{{cite web|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|title=Upcoming dates for WWE PPV events in 2011|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1280258946|publisher=WrestleView|date=July 27, 2010|access-date=July 28, 2010}}</ref>
|-
|25
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2012)]]
| January 29, 2012
| [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| [[Scottrade Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XXVIII]]}}
| [[Sheamus]]
| {{sort|22|22}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=WWE presents Royal Rumble, 01-29-2012|url=http://wwelivetour.com/events/wwe-presents-royal-rumble|publisher=WWE|date=2011-12-11|access-date=December 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|title=Sheamus won the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2012/royal-rumble-match|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 29, 2013|date=January 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Kevin|title=WWE Champion CM Punk def. Dolph Ziggler (Special Guest Referee John Laurinaitis)|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2012/cm-punk-dolph-ziggler|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 29, 2013|date=January 29, 2012}}</ref>
|-
|26
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2013)]]
| January 27, 2013
| [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| [[US Airways Center]]
| {{small|[[CM Punk]] (c) vs. [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for the [[WWE Championship]]}}
| {{sortname|John|Cena}} (2)
| {{sort|19|19}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Rumble 2013 results|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2013/royal-rumble-2013-results-26086345|publisher=WWE|access-date=2013-09-29|date=2013-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Giannini|first1=Alex|last2=Linder|first2=Zach|title=John Cena won the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2013/royal-rumble-match-26080784/page-5|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 29, 2013|date=January 27, 2013}}</ref>
|-
|27
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2014)]]
| January 26, 2014
| [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]]
| [[Consol Energy Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania XXX]]}}
| [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] (2)
| {{sort|28|28}}
| <ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Ryan|last2=Linder|first2=Zach|title=Batista won the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2014/royal-rumble-match-26171285|publisher=WWE|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Rumble 2014 results|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-2014-results-26177563|access-date=10 November 2014}}</ref> 
|-
|28
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2015)]]
| January 25, 2015
| [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania 31]]}}
| {{sortname|Roman|Reigns}}
| {{sort|19|19}}
| <ref>[[Royal Rumble (2015)#Results]]</ref>
|-
|29
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2016)]]
| January 24, 2016
| [[Orlando, Florida]]
| [[Amway Center]]
| {{small|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) vs. 29 other wrestlers in a 30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]]}}
| [[Triple H]] (2)
| {{sort|30|30}}
| <ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Elton|title=When Is WWE Royal Rumble 2016? Date, Location & Start Time|url=http://heavy.com/sports/2016/01/when-is-wwe-royal-rumble-2016-date-location-start-time/|work=[[Heavy.com]]|date=16 January 2016|access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|title=Triple H won the 2016 Royal Rumble Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2016/royal-rumble-match-wwe-world-heavyweight-championship-28402653|publisher=WWE|access-date=25 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|30
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2017)]]
| January 29, 2017
| [[San Antonio, Texas]]
| [[Alamodome]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 33]]}}
| {{Sortname|Randy|Orton}} (2)
| {{sort|23|23}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Rumble returns to Alamodome for the first time in 20 years|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/royal-rumble-returns-to-alamodome-first-time-20-years|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|31
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2018)]]
| January 28, 2018
| [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]]
| {{small|30-woman [[Royal Rumble match]] for a women's world championship match at [[WrestleMania 34]]}}
| {{Sortname|Shinsuke|Nakamura}}
| {{sort|14|14}}
| [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]]
| {{sort|25|25}}
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Philadelphia to host 30th anniversary of WWE Royal Rumble in 2018|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/philadelphia-to-host-royal-rumble-2018|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|work=WWE|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=Asuka won the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match; Ronda Rousey debuted|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-woman-royal-rumble-match-results|work=WWE|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|32
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2019)]]
| January 27, 2019
| [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| [[Chase Field]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 35]]}}
| {{Sortname|Seth|Rollins}}
| {{sort|10|10}}
| {{Sortname|Becky|Lynch}}
| {{sort|28|28}}
| <ref name="2019 Rumble">{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2018/01/24/wwe-royal-rumble-2019-nxt-takeover-phoenix-chase-field/1059435001/|title=WWE fans, Royal Rumble 2019 is coming to Chase Field in Phoenix|work=AZ Central|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|33
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2020)]]
| January 26, 2020
| [[Houston, Texas]]
| [[Minute Maid Park]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 36]]}}
| {{Sortname|Drew|McIntyre}}
| {{sort|16|16}}
| {{Sortname|Charlotte|Flair}}
| {{sort|17|17}}
| <ref name="2020 Rumble">{{cite web|last1=Barron|first1=David|title=WWE's Royal Rumble coming to Minute Maid Park in 2020|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/article/WWE-Royal-Rumble-in-Houston-Minute-Maid-Park-2020-13620766.php|work=Houston Chron|access-date=February 16, 2019|date=February 16, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|34
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2021)]]
| January 31, 2021
| [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]
| [[WWE ThunderDome]] at [[Tropicana Field]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 37]]}}
| [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (2)
| {{sort|1|1}}
| [[Bianca Belair]]
| {{sort|3|3}}
| <ref name="RR2021">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Drew McIntyre vs. Goldberg for the WWE Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Universal Championship, Sasha Banks vs. Carmella for the Smackdown Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/01/31/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-drew-mcintyre-vs-goldberg-for-the-wwe-championship-roman-reigns-vs-kevin-owens-in-a-last-man-standing-match-for-the-wwe/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 31, 2021|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|35
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2022)]]
| January 29, 2022
| [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| [[The Dome at America's Center]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 38]]}}
| {{Sortname|Brock|Lesnar}} (2)
| {{sort|30|30}}
| {{Sortname|Ronda|Rousey}}
| {{sort|28|28}}
| <ref name="2022Rumble">{{cite web|title=WWE Announces Date And Location For Royal Rumble 2022|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-date-and-location-royal-rumble-2022|work=Fightful|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|date=September 27, 2021|accessdate=September 27, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|36
| scope="row" | [[Royal Rumble (2023)]]
| January 28, 2023
| [[San Antonio, Texas]]
| [[Alamodome]]
| {{small|[[Roman Reigns]] (c) vs. [[Kevin Owens]] for the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]]}}
| {{sortname|Cody|Rhodes}}
| {{sort|30|30}}
| {{Sortname|Rhea|Ripley}}
| {{sort|1|1}}
| {{cn|date=August 2024}}
|-
|37
|[[Royal Rumble (2024)]]
|January 27, 2024
|[[St. Petersburg, Florida]]
|[[Tropicana Field]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania XL]]}}
|{{sortname|Cody|Rhodes}} (2)
|{{sort|15|15}}
|[[Bayley (wrestler)|Bayley]]
|{{sort|3|3}}
|<ref name="2024confirmed">{{cite news|last=Russell|first=Skylar|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2024 To Take Place At Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-2024-take-place-tropicana-field-st-petersburg-florida|work=Fightful|date=September 13, 2023|access-date=September 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918034628/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-2024-take-place-tropicana-field-st-petersburg-florida|archive-date=September 18, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 38
| [[Royal Rumble (2025)]]
| February 1, 2025
| [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
| [[Lucas Oil Stadium]]
| {{small|30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a world championship match at [[WrestleMania 41]]}}
| {{sortname|Jey|Uso}}
| 20
| {{sortname|Charlotte|Flair}} (2)
| 27
|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Skylar|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2025 To Take Place On February 1 In Indianapolis, City Set To Host Future WrestleMania And SummerSlam Events|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-2025-take-place-february-1-indianapolis-city-set-host-future-wrestlemania-and|work=Fightful|date=June 24, 2024|access-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|39
| [[Royal Rumble (2026)]]
| January 31, 2026
| [[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]]
| [[TBA]]
| 
|
|
|
|
|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lambert|first1=Jeremy|title=Report: WWE Royal Rumble 2026 To Be Held In Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-wwe-royal-rumble-2026-be-held-saudi-arabia|work=Fightful|date=January 3, 2025|access-date=January 4, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1532997-wwe-confirms-wwe-royal-rumble-2026-will-be-in-saudi-arabia|title=WWE Confirms WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Will Be In Saudi Arabia|author=Colin Tessier|website=WrestleZone|date=January 6, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="11" |{{center|(c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match}}
|}

== Video box set ==
In March 2007, WWE released a complete DVD box set titled ''Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology'', which showcases every Royal Rumble event in its entirety, up to the 2007 Royal Rumble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalrumble.org/| title=Royal Rumble 2015|publisher=Royal Rumble|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref>

== References ==
; General
* {{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/longest-wrestling-matches.html|title=Longest Pro Wrestling Matches|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=December 1, 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mondaynightwarriors.com/other-royalrumblestats.php|title=Royal Rumble Statistics|publisher=MondayNightWarriors.com|access-date=December 5, 2009|archive-date=March 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307063529/http://www.mondaynightwarriors.com/other-royalrumblestats.php|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#89|title=Royal Rumble results|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com|access-date=December 5, 2007}}
* {{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm|title=Royal Rumble History|author=Eric Cohen|publisher=About.com|access-date=December 9, 2007|archive-date=December 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208114111/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|author=Ian Hamilton|title=Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition|isbn= 1-4116-1210-8|publisher=Lulu.com|year=2006}}{{sps|date=February 2020}}
* {{cite book|author=Ric Flair|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2004|isbn=0-7434-5691-2}}
* {{cite book|author=Brian Shields|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=1-4165-3257-9|url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria}}

; Specific
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|author=Harley Race and Gerry Tritz|title=King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story|publisher=Sports Publishing|year= 2004|isbn=1-58261-818-6}}
* {{cite book|first=Ross|last=Davies|title=Kevin Nash|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2002|isbn=0-8239-3492-6}}
* {{cite book|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|title=Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|year=2004|isbn=1-58261-817-8|url=https://archive.org/details/tributesii00dave}}
* {{cite book|author=Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures| publisher=ECW Press|year=2006|isbn=1-55022-726-2}}
* {{cite book|author=Steve Austin and Jim Ross|title=The Stone Cold Truth|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2003|isbn=0-7434-7720-0|url=https://archive.org/details/stonecoldtruth00aust}}
* {{cite book|author=Scott Keith|title=Wrestling's One Ring Circus: The Death of the World Wrestling Federation|publisher=Citadel Press|year=2004|isbn=0-8065-2619-X}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Royal Rumble}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble|Royal Rumble Official Website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080512230454/http://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble WWE.com: Royal Rumble match description]
* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/facts/ WWE.com: Royal Rumble Facts & Figures]
* [http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm Royal Rumble History at About.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208114111/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/ringresults/a/royalrumble_2.htm |date=December 8, 2008 }}
* [http://www.royalrumble.net/ WWE Royal Rumble] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031105041/http://royalrumble.net/ |date=October 31, 2017 }}

{{WWE}}
{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}}
{{Royal Rumble winners}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Rumble, Wwe}}
[[Category:Royal Rumble| ]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1988]]