10 Most Infamous WWE Royal Rumble Controversies

7. Clock Problems & Mil Mascaras (1997)

Brock Lesnar Matt Riddle
WWE

The once-huge WWF had forgotten what it felt like to run big stadium shows when they rolled into San Antonio for the 1997 Rumble. Ticket sales hadn't been kind either, so the company ended up giving away vast numbers of briefs to anyone who would take them.

It wasn't a good start.

Come show time, production issues blighted the early moments of the 30-man match; there was panic backstage when the established countdown clock failed to appear on screen. McMahon, on commentary, explained that the WWF were having "problems with the clock" and would rectify it ASAP.

Then, to top it all off, Mexican legend Mil Mascaras decided that he didn't want to job in the Rumble. Instead of being thrown over by traditional means, ol' Mil performed a spectacular dive from the top rope and eliminated himself.

To recap, the event had ticket troubles, clock problems and one-off attractions who didn't follow the script.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.