Prior to the 1995 Royal Rumble, no Superstar had ever entered the match at No. 1 and lasted all the way to the end of the bout, winning it and earning a shot at the WWE Championship. After all, to do so would mean said competitor would have to outlast 29 opponents, a feat even Superman himself could not accomplish. Shawn Michaels set out to prove that he could do anything he wanted if given the opportunity and he did just that. In the shortest Royal Rumble in WWE history, a fact that is oftentimes overshadowed by Michaels' still impressive accomplishment, the Heartbreak Kid fought off the challenge of "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith and other top stars to win the Rumble and earn the right to challenge former friend Diesel for the WWE title at the biggest show of the year. Posing with Pamela Anderson, who would accompany him for his title match (at least according to pre-match stipulations), Michaels basked in the spotlight, knowing full well that he had etched his name in a history book few Superstars could ever imagine opening, let alone becoming part of. To this day, only Michaels and Chris Benoit can lay claim to entering at No. 1 and winning the contest.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
