6 Best Traditional WWE Royal Rumble Alternatives
WCW just had to try and outdo WWE, didn't they?
During an interview with Steve Austin, Pat Patterson recalled coming up with the initial concept for the Royal Rumble. According to Patterson, Vince McMahon wasn't a fan at first, making it all the more amazing that the match has lasted into its 30th iteration.
When it first debuted in 1988, the Rumble only housed 20 wrestlers. Eventually moving to the more traditional 30-man format from 1989 onwards, WWE haven't tampered with that formula too much since. The Rumble has become one of wrestling's most iconic matches, and has naturally spawned numerous copies since.
There's something satisfying about the idea of a wrestling gauntlet, although after around 30 matches the Royal Rumble may feel stale to some. Not to worry: there are alternatives.
From barmy ideas coming straight from the TNA brain trust (who else?) and WWE's extension of their own match, to Rumbles offering a different kind of prize and even those that introduced weapons into the fray, let's look at some matches of the best modifications of the classic format.
6. 40-Man Royal Rumble (WWE)
The period between 2009-2012 was a bit of a strange one for WWE, as the promotion didn't seem totally sure how to produce a product that catered to longtime fans whilst staying true to the PG format. Even the Royal Rumble suffered, and management decided to try and re-energise the match by beefing it up to 40 entrants in 2011.
Moving rapidly, this 40-man affair felt a little too quick. The extra 10 wrestlers tagged on didn't add much to the overall experience, meaning Alberto Del Rio's eventual win was more of a relief than truly exciting. Despite the souped up numbers, the Mexican's victory didn't feel any more gruelling than a regular Rumble.
Still, WWE had to try this new direction to find out if it would work or not. The match, flaws and all, is still worth a watch for those who haven't seen it. Particularly enjoyable was CM Punk's takeover of the Rumble (backed by The New Nexus) and Booker T's crowd-pleasing entry at #21.
Consider this a soft approach if you're looking for something different from the standard 30-man Rumble experience.