10 Times WWE Completely Wasted The Royal Rumble
4. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Doesn't Get His Match
In the end, the 2015 Royal Rumble became memorable for all the wrong reasons. Instead of an exhilarating battle filled with surprises, it turned into a slog dominated by two veterans who overshadowed the newer talent. The match left many fans feeling annoyed and disappointed, longing for a more dynamic and unpredictable Rumble experience.
Despite winning the Rumble, Austin didn't get the traditional title match at WrestleMania. Instead, the controversy surrounding his victory led to a series of events that culminated in a four-way elimination match at In Your House 13: Final Four. This match included Bret Hart, The Undertaker, and Vader, with the winner going on to face the WWE Champion at WrestleMania 13.
Austin's path to the title was anything but straightforward. The Final Four match was chaotic and intense, with Bret Hart emerging victorious. This meant that Austin's Royal Rumble win didn't directly lead to a title shot, which was unusual and somewhat disappointing for fans who expected the Rumble winner to headline WrestleMania.
However, this twist in the storyline added to Austin's rebellious and unpredictable character, setting the stage for his legendary feud with Bret Hart and his eventual rise to the top of WWE. While Austin didn't get the immediate title match, his 1997 Royal Rumble win was a crucial step in his journey to becoming one of the biggest stars in wrestling history.