7 Times WWE Changed The Rules To The Royal Rumble Match

Another core rule to the Royal Rumble match is that both feet need to touch the floor before a superstar is considered eliminated. It’s a no-sh*t-Sherlock type of statement. And almost no other rule has added more suspense to the Rumble match; Shawn Michaels flipped over the top rope only to pull himself back into the ring before being eliminated on numerous occasions, innovating the skinning-the-cat spot. Kofi Kingston has evaded elimination in a new way each year he participated.

Although the rule has existed for around 30 years, it hasn’t always been mandated.

Back in 1988, the Rumble match was still in its infancy, and the rulebooks weren’t fully written. Howard Finkel didn’t include “and onto the floor” in his famous explanation of the rules. All that was required of an elimination was for a superstar to be knocked over the top rope.

However, without the additional stipulation, the match had a few awkward moments. When Don Muraco was eliminated from the match, he didn’t immediately fall to the floor; he landed on the apron. And then he sat for a few moments. By modern standards, he could have re-entered the match. Instead, he scooted the rest of the way down and headed to the back. He might as well have circled the ring and shook everyone else’s hand on the way out. Fans can be grateful the change was made in 1989, as it helped prevent many eliminations from being anti-climactic and added numerous close-calls to keep viewers invested in the match of the years.