10 Times WWE Completely Wasted The Royal Rumble
7. The Favourite Isn't In The Match
You know 2014 was coming.
Let's cut to the chase: Daniel Bryan wasn't in it, and fans knew Batista had returned so he could win the whole thing. The WWE Universe clung onto the fact that the American Dragon could be the next entrant right until the end.
The crowd's excitement eventually turned to frustration, and by the time Rey Mysterio entered as the 30th participant, the arena was filled with boos. Fans felt let down, as Bryan was the clear favourite and his exclusion seemed like a missed opportunity. It's the only time you'll hear Mysterio booed, and he didn't deserve it.
The backlash was immediate and intense. Fans voiced their displeasure both in the arena and online, criticizing WWE for not capitalizing on Bryan's popularity. The disappointment was compounded when Batista won the whole thing, just as disgruntled fans thought he would.
In response to the overwhelming fan reaction, WWE eventually adjusted their plans. Bryan was added to the WrestleMania XXX main event, where he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a memorable and emotional victory. Despite the initial disappointment, Bryan's journey to WrestleMania became one of the most iconic storylines in WWE history, but the Royal Rumble match was completely wasted.