8 People You Won't Believe ALMOST Became A Wrestling Champion
2. Every Comedy Royal Rumble Entrant
WWE has preserved and protected the Royal Rumble in the face of multiple ways it could have collapsed in the modern era.
The ceremony around winner's journey was nearly lost to the company's refusal to push and promote Daniel Bryan. The surprise and suspense around the early draws has often been diluted by revealing the #1 Entrant ahead of time. The earnest joy of the last man or woman standing has been homogenised by the enormous sign they're forced to point at after winning.
It's contest unlike any other, and gets away with the fact that, at times, any old f*ck could win the thing.
In 2001, Drew Carey was just one win away from the WrestleMania X-Seven main event. The title shot was within touching distance before he fell short on his own terms. Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Booker T all left the announce booth in 2012 to take a spot in the match, on the same night that Mick Foley and Santino Marella fought with sock puppets. In 1998, the Honky Tonk Man wasn't one of the men trying to deck Stone Cold Steve Austin, but was apparently ready to join Mike Tyson at WrestleMania XIV? And there are more.
What exactly is the vetting process for this hard-earned golden ticket bonanza, and should it really not be getting as much scrutiny as Pat Patterson famously gave the booking?