50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
30. 1999's Match Is Shockingly Poor To Revisit Now
Business was booming again by the time 1999's Royal Rumble rocked up. Attendances were good, merchandise sales were at an all-time high, pay-per-view buyrates were raking it in and TV ratings soared. Who knew then that the '99 Rumble would become one of the worst to re-watch decades later? It should've been a cheery trip through the best of the 'Attitude Era', but it was a real chore to watch without the McMahon vs. Austin backdrop.
That dominated the Rumble match itself. Both rivals kicked the bout off, then they vanished until the very end. Sans McMahon vs. Austin, the roster struggled to keep everyone interested. Too many of the wrestlers entering the Rumble lasted either mere seconds or just a few short minutes, and others like Kane eliminated themselves without warning. The pacing and booking was frankly all over the place, and you might not be expecting that when doing a Rumble marathon session.
The whole thing practically trundles along until Vince and Steve reappear to launch into their closing stretch with an invading Rock, but this is still one of the worst Rumbles in living memory. A few scorching minutes at the start and end can't alter the fact that there was next to nothing else going on of note.
One was almost expecting to see the WWF run a video package or six to kill time. Just look at this collection of misfits who offered sod all to the match: Golga (15 seconds), Gillberg (6 seconds), Gangrel (26 seconds). Hell, 13 of the 30 entrants lasted less than 5 full minutes!