5. Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude (1988)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cb84d_wwf-royal-rumble-1988-ricky-steamboat-vs-rick-rude_sport The very first Royal Rumble event is a unique affair to look back on - only 20 men were involved in the big battle royal, and it wasn't quite the beginning on the 'Road To Wrestlemania' that it is nowadays. Younger fans often don't find too much entertainment from these older events, which is a shame. It's even more of a disappointment when you consider the very first match to ever take place on a Royal Rumble card, Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude. Outshining the Rumble by a long way, Rude and Steamboat put together a match which is never mentioned when people talk about the greatest matches from WWE's January tradition, but it deserves to be. Yes, there's a DQ finish, and it does go on for close to 20 minutes, but when you have a pair of superlative talents like these dudes, that's forgivable. Seriously, check this one out, you won't leave dissatisfied.
Jamie Kennedy
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.
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