Every WWE Gimmick Match And The Wrestlers That Defined Them

7. Royal Rumble Match - Stone Cold Steve Austin

The Undertaker HIAC
WWE.com

A three-time winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin best demonstrates the power the Royal Rumble match holds as a star-maker.

The chaos of early 1997 benefitted the machinations of the TV product more so than any individual, but the events of 1998 marked Austin's unassailable ascent. Austin defied a resistant machine and the internecine, political feud between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels to emerge as the man - a theme neatly reflected in the Rumble match. Austin was a marked man, but his incredible popularity and drive saw him win out before claiming the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XIV in a superbly-plotted main event character arc.

By 2001, Austin was established as the biggest star in the industry, a star so bright that he shone in a much-improved field of elite talents (The Rock), future Hall of Famers on an entertaining tear (Kane) and returning legends (Mr. Perfect).

The cynical answer, latterly, is Roman Reigns - but that disastrous period hasn't ruined the Rumble's aura as a massive event with the most significant of implications.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!