100 Greatest WWE Royal Rumble Moments Ever

38. Santino Marella, Record Breaker (2009)

WWE Royal Rumble 2020 Edge
WWE.com

In terms of sheer entertainment, few talents have ever made the most of their minutes as much as Santino Marella did in WWE and continues to do so for TNA these days.

While some cringe at the term, the Milan Miracle very much embraced the entertainment side of sports entertainment during his time with the market leader. And one of the many memorable moments from Marella’s WWE career came in 2009 when he broke a record set by The Warlord back in 1989.

As mentioned, The Warlord lasted a mere two seconds in the ‘89 Royal Rumble, being immediately dumped out of the match by Hulk Hogan. For 20 years, that would stand as a record for the shortest time spent in a Rumble. That is, until Santino Marella went one better and spent just one solitary second in the 2009 Royal Rumble.

Full of piss and vinegar, Santino sprinted down to the ring at the #28 position, determined to make an impression on the slew of superstars that awaited him. Unfortunately, what was also awaiting him was an immediate clothesline from Kane - him again! - that sent Marello straight over the top rope, where he’d then plead with referee Charles Robinson that he “wasn’t ready” in an attempt to void the elimination.

Also, a quick shoutout to Chelsea Green, who pulled a similar stunt in 2023, managing five seconds in that year’s women’s Rumble. Of course, that would sow the seeds for what would become Chelsea’s “Karen” character.

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