10 Worst WWE Royal Rumble Winners Ever

10. Sheamus (2012)

The Celtic Warrior won the Royal Rumble match in 2012; in theory, it wasn't the worst call in the world. After the lightning-quick start to his WWE career, Sheamus was building his way back to the main event in the two years prior to his Rumble victory. He won King Of The Ring in 2010 and had a decent run with the US title, competing with the likes of Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston.

When it came time to add the Rumble to his burgeoning portfolio, however, Sheamus was in the midst of a generic babyface run, smiling his way down the ramp to middling reactions. What made the decision to put Sheamus over even worse was, as is so often the way with bad Royal Rumble winners, the fact that the fans had another man in mind.

Chris Jericho had just returned with a new attitude and a brighter jacket and had promised to 'change the world' at the Rumble. Entering at 29, this had to be Y2J's year, thought everybody watching, but Vinny Mac had his mind made up. Sheamus went on to beat Daniel Bryan in 18 seconds at WrestleMania XXVIII in another decision that did not go down terribly well.