20 Greatest WWE Royal Rumble Undercard Matches
January Classics
Considered one of the highlights of the year for most wrestling fans, the Royal Rumble routinely provides an entertaining mix of rapid-fire action from the majority of the roster, some fascinating storyline development, and even the odd twist as the company begins it's ballyhooed 'Road to WrestleMania'.
However, the Royal Rumble is never just about its showpiece Battle Royal.
Though 'the most exciting hour in Sports Entertainment' will naturally dominate proceedings, the January pay-per-view event has played host to some fantastic matches and moments that tend to see less of the plaudits thanks to their placement near the Rumble itself.
As the 31st edition of the show approaches, there have been a huge number of clashes at the event that have delighted generations of fans. With such a broad range to draw from, here are the 20 greatest Royal Rumble undercard matches.
20. Bob Holly & 1-2-3- Kid Vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (1995)
As a makeshift duo, Bob Holly and The 1-2-3 Kid may have been one of the all-time greatest assembled, and yet were unfortunately only given two high profile matches to show just how dynamic a pairing they could be.
Thrown together as smaller guys from the undercard, common sense dictated that the two did not stand a chance against their established, oversized, and more-experienced opponents.
In-ring, Holly and Kid were extremely reliable hands with virtually anybody on the roster, and proved their mettle yet again in an outstanding bout with an able Tatanka and a highly motivated Bigelow.
Attempting a series of airborne manoeuvres to outwit their bigger foes, Holly and Kid survived early beatings enough to generate some momentum in the final moments, scoring a fantastic upset from nowhere after Bam Bam (who had suffered several headshots previously in the match) was inadvertently pushed from the ropes by his own partner and knocked out cold in a miscommunication.
The near-dead Kid crawled gamely to the giant's downed frame, and draped an arm to seal a win for the plucky babyfaces, triggering Bigelow's huge rivalry with Lawrence Taylor and ultimately his separation from the Million Dollar Corporation.