Top 10 best WWE Royal Rumble returns of all time

The Royal Rumble match is one of the most exciting matches in the pro-wrestling industry, where wrestlers are focused on eliminating their opponents, by tossing them over the top rope. The match has a separate fanbase for a number of reasons including the match stipulation, surprise entrances, extreme athleticism and so on. However, the most watchout things of the Rumble matches are the surprise entrances of debuting and returning stars. Here we take a look at the top 10 WWE Royal Rumble returns of all time.

10. Bubba Ray Dudley (2015)

Bubba Ray Dudley made his surprise return to WWE at the 2015 Royal Rumble match after a decade. Dudley entered the ring as entrance number 3, with a great reception from the WWE Universe, while The Miz and R-Truth were in the ring. Dudley eliminated both before being eliminated by Bray Wyatt.

9. Diesel (2011)

Rumble matches usually feature 30 wrestlers, however 2011 rumble match is quite unique which featured 40 wrestlers. Where Diesel made his surprise WWE return at the rumble match as the 32nd entrant after seven years. Diesel’s entrance not only shocked the WWE universe, but also the wrestlers in the ring. Diesel lasted 2 minutes 45 seconds and got eliminated by Wade Barrett.

8. Booker T (2011)

Booker T made his WWE return after 4-years at the 2011 Royal Rumble at the  21st spot. The King generated a huge pop from the WWE Universe. He entered the ring when CM Punk’s New Nexus dominated the match. Booker delivered a hard fight but got eliminated by Mason Ryan after just a minute inside the ring.

7. Chris Jericho (2013)

At the 2013 Royal Rumble, Dolph Ziggler entered the rumble match first and called out the second entrant. Lights went out and Chris Jericho made his return after a five-month long hiatus. His return had a huge reception from the WWE Universe and he himself made a big impact in the match. Jericho stood 47 minutes 53 seconds inside the ring with two eliminations of Drew McIntyre and Brodus Clay and got eliminated by Dolph Ziggler.

6. Rey Mysterio (2018)

In the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble match, Rey Mysterio made his surprise return after three years at the most luckiest spot (#27). Mysterio generated a huge pop from the crowd. Mysterio lasted a total of 9 minutes 40 seconds and eliminated Adam Cole before being eliminated by Finn Balor. 

5. Cody Rhodes (2023)

Cody Rhodes took a long hiatus from the company after suffering a pectoral tear after Hell in a Cell 2022. Rhodes then announced his return for the 2023 rumble match and entered at number 30. Rhodes came back stronger and eliminated five wrestlers (Dominik Mysterio, Braun Strowman, Austin Theory, Logan Paul and Gunther) to win the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match to headline WrestleMania 39.

4. Edge (2010)

At the 2010 Rumble match, Edge made his WWE return at number 29 after six-months of long hiatus. Edge’s return electrified the entire WWE universe, who showed great reception. Edge’s return not only surprised the fans, but also his former partner Chris Jericho who elevated his entrance with the facial expression. Edge eliminated Chris Jericho and John Cena to win the 2010 Rumble match and headlined WrestleMania XXVI to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

3. Triple H (2002)

Triple H made his WWE return after injury at the rumble match as the 25th entrant with a loud ovation to brawl with Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Game stood 23 minutes 14 seconds and eliminated a total of 4 including The Hurricane, Faarooq, Mr. Perfect and Kurt Angle to win the 2002 Royal Rumble match.

2. John Cena (2008)

John Cena made his surprise return at the 2008 Royal Rumble match after pectoral muscle injury as the 30th entrant. Cena has one of the all time great returns in WWE history, which generated a great pop that almost hit the sky. Cena Stood 8 minutes 28 seconds and eliminated a total of 4 including Carlito, Chavo Guerrero, Mark Henry and Triple H to win the 2008 rumble match.

1. Edge (2020)

At the 2020 Royal Rumble PPV, Edge made his WWE return at the 2020 rumble match after 9 years after being forced to retire due to neck injury in 2011. Edge entered the match as the 21st entrance, with the loudest pop that tore the sky apart. Edge stood 23 minutes 43 seconds and eliminated 3 wrestlers including AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Randy Orton before being eliminated by Roman Reigns.

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