30 One-Time-Only WWE Royal Rumble Entrants You Totally Don't Remember

5. The Brian Kendrick (2009)

Time In Match: 0:15

As Spanky, Brian Kendrick was one of the standouts on the independent scene in the early days of Ring of Honor and other work-rate heavy promotions popping up across America following the demises of WCW and ECW. Even though tiny by WWE standards and weighing a buck-fifty soaking wet, Kendrick was hired by the company and did fairly well in a tag team with fellow ex-RoH bone-bender Paul London.

A modern day Rockers, London and Kendrick managed a remarkable 331 day run with the SmackDown! Tag Titles in 2007, but by 2009 both had gone solo. Kendrick remarketed himself as The Brian Kendrick, a cocky heel with Brian Pillman mannerisms and a huge bodyguard by the name of Ezekiel Jackson. Kendrick was a fascinating character and had a lot of promise, but WWE evidently didn't agree. After somehow managing to eliminate Kofi Kingston in the few seconds he was permitted in the Rumble, Kendrick was then ousted by Triple H immediately, and was gone from WWE within six months.

Contributor
Contributor

The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart. James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.