20 WWE Royal Rumble Facts You Didn't Know

2. CM Punk Loses His Spot

Royal Rumble facts
WWE

Even my grandad, whose familiarity with modern pro wrestling ends at Les Kellet and Big Daddy, knows that CM Punk being overlooked for a WrestleMania main event is one of the primary reasons he flounced on the company. And he's been dead for twenty years. But for a sliding doors moment in 2008, we might be enjoying/be sick to death of Punk as an aging veteran and sure-fire Hall of Famer on WWE TV today.

According to the man himself, speaking on Fox's shortlived Backstage, he was all set to win Rumble '08 but for the superhuman recovery skills of a certain Jon Cena. Famously, John returned from a torn pec way ahead of schedule to snag a shocking win - one that had apparently been earmarked for the Voice of the Voiceless. Punk missed his marquee 'Mania match, but at least he didn't have to lose to Triple H in 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.