10 WWE Royal Rumble Entrants You Totally Forgot
2. Mil Mascaras (1997)
If Tenryu was one of Japan's biggest stars in the '80s and '90s, Mil Mascaras was an even bigger star for professional wrestling in Mexico.
Mascaras is known all throughout the world as a pioneer of lucha libre and, along with El Santo, is arguably the most famous luchadore ever. His family is also involved in the sport with his nephew finding great success in WWE as Alberto Del Rio.
Many fans know that Alberto Del Rio was a regular participant in the Royal Rumble match during his time with WWE, including as the winner in 2012. What fewer fans remember is that Alberto's uncle actually participated in the 30-man match in 1997 when the Royal Rumble first emanated from San Antonio's Alamodome.
As part of a partnership with Mexico's AAA organization, the World Wrestling Federation featured several luchadores at the 1997 Royal Rumble battle royal with none bigger than Mil Mascaras. Additional lucha libre stars like Pierroth, Cibernetico, and the Latin Lover also participated in the Rumble match while Hector Garza, Perro Aguayo (Sr.), and several other AAA stars competed on the undercard.
Known for his strict "no jobbing" philosophy, Mascaras eliminated himself from the Rumble by jumping off the top rope, onto the man he just eliminated, Pierroth. Despite climbing through the middle ropes to leap from the turnbuckles, Mascaras was not allowed back into the match by the referees.