10 WWE Royal Rumble Betrayals You Didn't See Coming
Loyalty? You can forget about it in the WWE Royal Rumble! Just ask Daniel Bryan...
As the wrestling world is abuzz with excitement for the first of the year's Big Four pay-per-views, locker rooms are never more divided. With a main event title shot at WrestleMania on the line and only one man and woman able to seize the prize, WWE Royal Rumble loyalty is as likely than Ryback showing up on the night to announce that the Rumble has been changed to a Reverse Battle Royal.
One element of the match that makes the Royal Rumble a highpoint in the WWE calendar is the quandary the Rumble forces on its competitors, with "every man for himself" ruling all. It makes each entrant to search their souls, weighing up the promise of glory at ‘The Showcase of the Immortals’ against their friendships and familial bonds. Even eternal babyface Rey Mysterio recently hinted, albeit jokingly, that he would betray his son Dominik in his pursuit to win the Rumble for the second time.
The face/heel storytelling structure of professional wrestling often gives the end product a black and white dichotomy, but the nature of betrayal dictates that it never comes at the hands of an enemy...
10. Cody Rhodes Eliminates Goldust (2009)
Cody and Dustin ‘Goldust’ Rhodes had a storied rivalry as the successors of their legendary father.
While successful as a tag team, excluding Cody’s casting as the abominable Stardust, they have arguably found the most in-ring success beginning matches at opposing corners. For now, their rivalry is over, having concluded with their brilliant but brutal match at AEW Double or Nothing 2019.
It is no surprise the two have history at the Royal Rumble.
The first time the brothers crossed paths during the Rumble was in 2009. With Cody and his Legacy stablemates already in the match, Goldust entered at #17 and went straight for Ted DiBiase Jr., clobbering him to the mat. When Cody pulled his brother off his ally, Goldust realised family loyalty wasn’t making a showing and threw the first shot. Cody was saved when Randy Orton hit an RKO on Goldy. Rather than rack up another elimination for himself, the sadistic Orton forced Cody to prove his loyalty by dumping his brother over the top rope.
In 2013’s match, despite teaming for a time, Cody again eliminated his brother. Dustin returned the favour the following year.
In short, these guys loved screwing each other over.