10 Dumbest Royal Rumble Participants In WWE History

6. Chris Jericho

Kane Royal Rumble 2001
WWE.com

Chris Jericho featured in nine Royal Rumbles since first appearing in the 2000 match, but he’s never won it. The closest he came was in 2012, and while he produced a strong performance to make it to the final two, his interactions with Sheamus, the eventual winner, were laughable.

Like Savage in ‘93, Jericho attempted to pin Sheamus at one point, then yelled at the Irishman to “get outta my ring!” after realising his mistake. That wasn’t even the worst of it, though. Sheamus tried to eliminate Jericho in the match’s dying seconds, but Y2J landed on the apron. You’d think he’d roll back inside to continue, but no: Chris stood gormlessly on the apron for no apparent reason, and just casually allowed the Celtic Warrior to smash him with a match-winning Brogue Kick.

Something about Royal Rumble matches turns Jericho into a stupid idiot. In 2003, he politely stood by and let Chavo Guerrero execute a top rope move on him when a simple shove would’ve sent Chavo out. 2004 saw Jericho attack Rob Van Dam as he was trying to eliminate the gargantuan Big Show, and in 2013, Jericho had Dolph Ziggler prone on the top rope, but opted for a Superplex rather than an elimination.

This year’s Rumble saw Jericho not only prevent several eliminates, but get himself tossed-out by Dean Ambrose after spending a little too long celebrating a Codebreaker on Triple H. Here’s hoping 2017 brings him better fortunes, otherwise he might have to put himself on the list...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.