10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2001 Facts
4. It Was Big Show's Return After Five Months Away
There was quite a loud reaction when that familiar "WELLLLLLLLLL" blared over the sound system, because the man with that music wasn't expected to appear. The Big Show surprised everyone watching by hitting the ring as the number 23 entrant, quickly renewing old hostilities with The Rock.
Show hadn't been seen since August 2000, when he was hastily pulled off of TV prior to SummerSlam. Instead of a planned match against The Undertaker, Show was shipped off to Ohio Valley Wrestling, where WWE wanted the big man to improve his weight and cardio. Additionally, the demotion was said to be due in part to Show having attitude problems.
WWE also removed Show from their video game releases of the time, as a way of reducing his royalty intake. Steven Richards replaced Show's character in the story mode of N64's No Mercy game, which would become a running gag in future years.