20 WWE Royal Rumble Facts You Didn't Know

9. The WrestleMania Stipulation Didn't Exist Until 1993

Royal Rumble facts
WWE Network

Today, the Royal Rumble's association with WrestleMania is thoroughly well-established, the, ahem, 'championship opportunity' it traditionally affords the winner being the first flagstone on the road to the Showcase of Immortals.

But that hasn't always been the case. Indeed, the last men standing of the first four outings went home with precisely diddly squat, besides pride. For the 1992 edition of course, the prize was even greater than a 'Mania title shot: the championship itself, snagged by Ric Flair with a tear in his eye.

A year later, Yokozuna was the first man to earn his WrestleMania ticket through the glorified battle royal - following a cordial invitation from none other than Julius Caesar (WrestleMania IX was Roman themed... just live with it).

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.