7 WWE Royal Rumble Eliminations That Were NEVER SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!

7. Alex Riley (2011)

Alex Riley Royal Rumble 2011
WWE Network

Things could've been so different for Alex Riley.

Back in 2011, he was a hot prospect, riding high as The Miz's accomplice and set to eliminate none other than John Cena from the Rumble. Come show time, Riley dashed out as #34 in a 40-man match and eagerly awaited his big spot. Then, he accidentally tumbled out of the ring when he wasn't supposed to.

Alex Riley Royal Rumble 2011
WWE Network

Before he had the chance to oust Cena, Riley slipped off the top rope (during one of those hokey two-on-one spots the Rumble so loves) and fell to the outside. There was no going back, and everyone panicked. Cena had to crouch down in the corner and await instructions from the referee about what to do next.

That was it for Riley's big moment. Cena ended up getting eliminated by The Miz, who wasn't even a participant in the match, instead.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.