10 Loudest Pops In WWE Royal Rumble History
5. AJ Styles Arrives (2016)
Everybody in the world knew that AJ Styles was on his way to WWE from the moment it was announced he'd severed ties with NJPW. His TNA run ended badly, and he'd already said his goodbyes in ROH, leaving him with only one logical destination. Regardless, there was still just enough mystery surrounding his debut to ensure that his eventual arrival in the 2016 Royal Rumble felt like a big surprise.
An unfamiliar theme started playing as Roman Reigns stood alone in the ring. Slowly, the phrase "I Am Phenomenal" unfolded on the screen, and the crowd were enraptured as the final word materialised. They knew exactly who was coming down the ramp, and the noise swelled as the former TNA and IWGP Heavyweight Champion stepped onto the stage, then threw his hood back, casting an eye over his first WWE crowd.
The production team almost botched the moment by focusing on Roman's face, not the tron, as the scene unfolded. Regardless, the pop was impossible to ignore, and made it clear that not only did they know who AJ Styles was, but that he, not Reigns, was their new babyface hero.