10 Best World Title Matches In WWE Royal Rumble History

The Rumble may be the main draw, the pay-per-view has still hosted some great world title matches.

WWE Royal Rumble 2017 John Cena Super AA On AJ Styles
WWE

World championship matches at WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view have something of a reputation - and not necessarily a good one.

Because WWE see the Rumble match as the main draw of the pay-per-view, they tend to put less focus into the singles matches at the show. Past examples have included Bob Holly challenging Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble 2004, Dolph Ziggler taking on CM Punk in 2012 and AJ Styles taking on both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a Handicap match for the WWE title just last year.

However, the Rumble is still a 'Big Four' event, so the company does actually bother to put in the legwork and book big matches between big stars competing for the top prize.

Today, we'll be looking at matches for any version of the WWF/WWE Championship, the World Heavyweight Championship or the Universal Championship. No ECW Championship matches, sadly. What a shame.

With 2019's Royal Rumble pay-per-view just days away, let's cross our fingers that we get world title matches of this quality as we take a trip down memory lane looking at some of the best world title matches in the show's 30-year history.

10. Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker (1998)

WWE Royal Rumble 2017 John Cena Super AA On AJ Styles
WWE.com

We start the list with an example of a great match that has become infamous for all the wrong reasons.

HBK was in the midst of his third and final run as WWF Champion when he came up against one of his greatest foes, The Phenom.

Michaels and The Undertaker have never had a bad encounter and this was no exception. The two legends left it all in the ring on this night, taking full advantage of the no disqualification stipulation of this Casket Match.

The match was full of big spots, piledrivers onto steel steps and run-ins - so many run-ins - but is ultimately most famous for a single moment. Michaels ran at The Undertaker, only to be back dropped over the top rope. HBK caught the Casket on his way down, which severely injured his back.

Although Michaels won the match with help from DX and Kane, the injury would prove too severe and, after he dropped the WWF title to Stone Cold at WrestleMania XIV, HBK would be forced into retirement, not to return to a wrestling ring until 2002.

Although the botch has become infinitely more famous than the match itself, this is still a great example of two absolute pros at their absolute best. Definitely worth a rewatch.

Contributor
Contributor

Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.