10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2004 Facts

Benoit's first-to-the-end duration in the 2004 Rumble match was indisputably more impressive than Shawn Michaels' 1995 go-through, since Michaels only had to contend with one-minute intervals. Benoit's run ended up being historically relevant, as he shattered a long-standing record.

Benoit's one hour, one minute, and 31 second performance was the first time anyone had surpassed 60 minutes in eleven years. It also bested the previous record set that year by Bob Backlund, whose 1:01:10 spent in the 1993 Royal Rumble match stood unmatched for that decade-plus.

From 1988 through 1993, the Rumble duration title changed hands each year, going from Bret Hart to Mr. Perfect to Ted Dibiase to Rick Martel to Ric Flair to Backlund across the six events. Once Backlund won it, he clung to the high-mark until Benoit snatched it away.