10 Shocking Royal Rumble Plans WWE Originally Had

4. Batista Gets The Edge (2010)

Batista John Cena Royal Rumble 2010
WWE.com

It's impossible to picture anyone other than Edge winning the 2010 Rumble. He'd been out with injuries since the prior summer and was the kind of comeback king Rumbles occasionally need to feel over-the-top and special. Here's the thing: Edge wouldn't have won it without Chris Jericho's influence.

Batista, meanwhile, would have.

Jericho pitched a story that'd see him and ex-(fleeting) tag partner Edge collide at WrestleMania XXVI, and he believed the story needed some extra juice. That's why he suggested having Edge win the Rumble, Jericho himself relieving The Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Title at Elimination Chamber and then putting both Canadians together at 'Mania.

Voilà, WWE would have a ready-made World Title showdown between old friends and the 'Taker vs. Shawn Michaels 'Streak vs. Career' stipulation wouldn't be bogged down by unnecessary championship implications on the side. Just like that, Batista was out and Edge was in.

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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.