10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 1988 Facts
8. Pat Patterson Based The Rumble Match On San Francisco Battle Royals
The Royal Rumble is often cited as the brainchild of Pat Patterson, one of the most ingenious minds that has ever had generalship under McMahon. Patterson's travels and experiences as a wrestler would inform his greatest ideas, be they match finishes or match concepts. For the Rumble match, Patterson drew inspiration from one of his greatest territorial homes.
Patterson spent a large chunk of his long career wrestling in Roy Shire's NWA affiliate in San Francisco. It was in San Francisco's Cow Palace that an annual battle royal would take place, for a purported large cash prize. The event was one that was highly anticipated by fans of the region, and Patterson understood the allure and drama that a battle royal-type match, done with plenty of star power, could have.
The final San Francisco battle royal took place on January 24, 1981, and was won by Patterson himself. Seven years later, to the exact day, the first Royal Rumble was held. Cosmic coincidence?