10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2006 Facts

6. Mysterio Claims He Didn't Know He Was Winning Until The Night Of The Show

Rey Mysterio Royal Rumble 2006
WWE

Even though Mysterio was the sentimental favorite to win the match (winning in Guerrero's memory), there was still one major road block: Vince McMahon. Others in the company reportedly had to talk McMahon into pulling the trigger on Mysterio, as McMahon wasn't keen on the idea.

Mysterio claimed in a 2015 shoot interview that he didn't know he would be winning until the night of the Rumble. He also added that he tends to stay out of the political realm of the business, and just takes whatever opportunity comes up.

Had Dave Batista not injured his tricep at the start of the year, the likely plan for WrestleMania 22 (without the sustained push from wrestlers, agents and writers for Mysterio) would've been Batista defending the belt against Randy Orton, who would've likely won the Rumble match instead of Rey. But alas, McMahon caved to his constituents.

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Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.