Whilst Benoit didnt win the Rumble this time out, he was the man that held the majority of the match together. Starting things off against long-time rival/BFF Eddie Guerrero, the Rabid Wolverine would last 47 minutes before he was eventually thrown out courtesy of the Nature Boy, Ric Flair. Throughout this stay, Benoit was the glue of the match and put in the most impressive shift in a Rumble match that had many cool moments, particularly the start of the Kurt Angle/Shawn Michaels feud and that elimination of Paul London. Edge is another who deserves particular praise for his effort in the 2005 Royal Rumble match, but the true most valuable performer here was The Crippler, who was now seen as a legitimate player after his star-making turn at the previous years Rumble.