10 WWE Royal Rumble Eliminations More Significant Than You First Thought

CM Punk's shock departure from WWE caused one of the most unforeseen ripple effects in WWE history, and it's difficult to debate that its biggest cause was his elimination from the 2014 Royal Rumble match.

While Punk had been dissatisfied for weeks with the company's creative direction, it was his elimination from the Royal Rumble by Kane that ultimately prompted him to leave the company. Not only did this mean WWE was losing one of its most beloved superstars, it also sent the company's WrestleMania plans into question.

Originally scheduled to face Triple H at that year's event, Punk's walkout (and Triple H's desperate need for a big match at WrestleMania against a younger, hotter star) prompted Triple H to set his sights on... Daniel Bryan.

The 'Yes' man had originally been booked to face Sheamus, but it's likely that the former WWE Champion's walkout prompted WWE to change direction and have Bryan walk out of WrestleMania as a champion.

This single elimination indirectly ended up boosting Daniel Bryan into the main event spot he deserved, ironically at the expense of fellow independent icon CM Punk.