10 Times WWE Put Its Talent In Impossible Positions

10. You Want Daniel Bryan? Well, Here's Rey Mysterio

The 2014 Royal Rumble PPV sticks out in the memory for a couple of major reasons.

One of those reasons is that this would be CM Punk's final ever appearance (as of now...) in a WWE ring. After being anticlimactically dumped out of the Rumble match by Kane, the Second City Saint opted to quit WWE the very next day.

The other major talking point of the 2014 edition of WWE's annual January event, of course, was Daniel Bryan. Or, specifically, the lack of Daniel Bryan in the 30-man over-the-top contest that closed out this PPV.

Bryan had put on a barnburner of a bout against Bray Wyatt earlier in the night - with D-Bry coming up short in that contest - but those in Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center and watching at home were all holding out hope that the American Dragon would enter and win the Rumble match, cementing himself a spot in the WrestleMania XXX main event.

As the Royal Rumble served up competitor after competitor, the question was when exactly would the Yes! Man make his grand arrival. By the time 29 men had entered the bout, it was clear that Daniel Bryan was to emerge as #30 to get the classic underdog victory... only he didn't.

Instead, it was another proverbial underdog, Rey Mysterio Jr., who was in that #30 spot.

The fact that Mysterio - one of the all-time great babyface performers - was booed out of the building tells you all you need to know about how impossible a task the Master of the 619 was handed.