10 Best Endings In WWE Royal Rumble History

6. Asuka And The Bellas (2018)

2018's twin Royal Rumble efforts felt like a long overdue apology to fans sent into frenzies of frustration over the past four years. Since Batista managed to inspire Philadelphia to boo Rey Mysterio of all people back in 2014, the Rumble had gradually been earning an unwelcome reputation of delivering disappointing winners serving to please precisely one man.

Two people changed that in 2018.

After Shinsuke Nakamura had unexpectedly ousted the old guard at the conclusion of the men's Royal Rumble earlier in the night, the brand-new women's edition had a tough task matching that feel-good moment. It managed it - and did so in similar fashion.

As we got to the last three, we were left with supreme fan favourite Asuka facing off with two women emblematic of the old Divas philosophy, The Bella Twins. It was easy to assume that the conclusion had been smartly booked to needle fan resentment to maximum ahead of an Asuka win, but given WWE's unusual predilection for Nikki and Brie, it was impossible to completely rule out a swerve ending which saw one of them, alarmingly, heading to WrestleMania. After all, Total Divas needed a ratings boost.

At times, Asuka was clinging on by a thread, but cling on she did, ultimately bumping the Bellas off to claim a dramatic win and send Philadelphia, this time, into raptures. WWE had actually done what had seemed increasingly impossible, and given fans what they wanted twice in the same night.

And then there was the small matter of Ronda Rousey's introduction...