The was Shawn Michaels' first of two consecutive Rumble wins and the second consecutive year The British Bulldog made it to the final four. Crush and lex Luger made up the final four and after Luger was eliminated, Brian Adams' character convinced Michaels to work with him but then turned on The Heartbreak Kid by attacking him. Michaels would scratch Crush's eyes, which enabled Smith to eliminate Crush. Michaels and Smith were the first two entrants but found themselves the last two wrestlers remaining in a Rumble first. Smith threw Michaels over the top rope and began to celebrate. However, Michaels had only touched the floor with one foot and was not eliminated from the match. He attacked Smith from behind and threw him out of the ring to become the first wrestler to win the Royal Rumble after entering first. Michaels celebrated in the ring with guest Pamela Anderson.