10 Terrible WWE Royal Rumbles With One INCREDIBLE Moment
5. Jim Duggan Pops The Crowd And Launches An Institution (1988)
The inaugural Royal Rumble wasn't the first of its kind, but the gimmick needed to succeed in the highly pressurised television special slot it was afforded in 1988 in order to live longer as a pay-per-view spectacular.
A 20-man version wasn't exactly the most thrilling ever incarnation of the match. Yet to come accompanied with typical Rumble staples or the bells and whistles that would later define it, the match was far closer to a traditional battle royal than the staggered entrances should have made it. But Jim Duggan's survival in the contest and satisfying win at its conclusion did at least prove one thing - the contest got people over.
There were bigger WWE Superstars(TM) than 'Hacksaw' in the bout - Ultimate Warrior was on the fast track, Hulk Hogan house show opponent (and eventual Rumble runner up) One Man Gang hadn't ran out of steam yet, and megastar face Jake Roberts had never been hotter. Nonetheless, when the wood-wielding patriot got it done, the crowd erupted. Concept proved, and an institution was born.