10 Dumbest Royal Rumble Participants In WWE History

2. Shawn Michaels

Kane Royal Rumble 2001
WWE.com

How does a two-time Royal Rumble winner go down as one of the dumbest participants in the event’s history? By defying all logic and reason every time he entered the match, of course.

HBK’s low Rumble IQ first became apparent in 1992, when, after spending a long period roaming around like a lost child, he attacked both Greg Valentine and the British Bulldog as they tried to eliminate The Barbarian.

Shawn won the Royal rumble in 1995, but his stupidity almost cost him when he attacked the newly-entered King Kong Bundy, who no-sold his offence, then let Bulldog destroy him. Michaels entered first in 2003, but got distracted when Chris Jericho’s music hit at number two and Christian appeared on the ramp. Y2J’s misdirection worked, and he attacked Shawn from behind before eventually throwing him over.

2006 saw Shawn pull the “rabbit in the headlights” act again as he became transfixed by Vince McMahon’s arrival, allowing Shane, of all people, to eliminate him. In 2007, Shawn spent so long stomping the mat ahead of hitting Sweet Chin Music that The Undertaker saw it coming and Chokeslammed him to hell, and in 2008, he eliminate Taker, stood there taunting The Deadman, and gave Mr. Kennedy a gift-wrapped opportunity to throw him over the top rope.

Many regard Shawn Michaels as the greatest wrestler of all-time, but it’s perplexing that he was able to win a single Royal Rumble, let alone two in a row.

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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.